The Unsung Heroes of Formula One: Rising Stars Shaping the Future of F1
Image Credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Formula One has many exceptional drivers competing at the pinnacle of motorsport right now. It is where the best drivers compete in the fastest cars. Of course, when talking about the top drivers, you hear names like Max Verstappen, Sir Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. However, many other sensational drivers don’t get the credit they deserve.
Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda has been flying under the radar for several years now. The development rate of the Japanese driver should be noticed, as he has been one of the better drivers in the midfield as of late. Tsunoda has cemented himself as the top driver in Team RB, beating many of his teammates. However, the young driver needs to get the credit he deserves; this could be because whenever there is talk about Red Bull looking for a new driver, his name is never really on the list. Tsunoda has great, rare speed, and time is still on his side, so he is still developing. The trajectory for the driver from Japan is very promising, and he could get a top drive in the coming years. What he has improved on is putting in consistent performances week after week. This is crucial because, as they say in F1, consistency is critical. It’ll be fascinating to see what type of driver Tsunoda becomes in the coming years.
Oscar Piastri
With the improvement of McLaren’s car, the drivers have shown what they are capable of in a race-winning car. Norris has been getting the most praise because he has been challenging for weekly race wins. However, Piastri is coming off his first career victory in Hungary and finished the Belgian Grand Prix in second. Considering he is only in his second season, the sky is the limit for the young Australian. There is evidence that he has what it takes to win a race and be competitive in qualifying. It is scary to think that in the driver’s third year, they improve their craft. Yet, you can already argue that Piastri is one of the best drivers on the grid. If given the right machinery, the 23-year-old is a future world champion, with many race wins ahead of him.
Alex Albon
Alex Albon has been great ever since joining the Williams team in 2022. The former Red Bull driver has revived his career, and when people talk about the most underrated driver, his name often pops up. Williams would not have achieved the results they have without Albon. The 28-year-old has scored the majority of the points for the team and will be critical to their success in the future. It’ll be a real test for Albon in 2025 as Carlos Sainz will join the team, which will be a good measuring stick for the Thai driver. Albon has shown that he can outperform the car and produce magical results. One of his most significant attributes is his defensive driving and his overtaking. Seeing how 2025 plays out for Williams and Albon will be interesting.
F1 is full of great drivers who wouldn’t be there if they didn’t have the talent.
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