What does DNF mean in F1?
F1 has over the years seen several drivers coming away with DNFs from a Grand Prix.
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Formula 1, as a sport, has come a long way, especially in the last few decades. It has seen a plethora of changes on and off the track that have helped in making it a global phenomenon. In today’s day and age, F1 is considered one of the most exhilarating and exciting sports across sporting events all over the globe.
While the pinnacle of motor racing has witnessed a massive surge in its global fanbase in recent years, there are quite a few essential parts to it. One such part is the DNF, often during a Grand Prix event. The full form of DNF in F1 terms is ‘Did Not Finish.’
It occurs when, during a Grand Prix, a driver cannot finish the race. It can occur due to a plethora of reasons, from crashing during the race to a car not being able to run the whole distance; there could be several reasons why a driver has to come away from a race with the DNF tag.
Moreover, in modern F1 racing, DNFs have become extremely common. Today, there is hardly a Grand Prix where at least one driver does not come away with a DNF tag. It is an extremely common thing and is going to remain one for many decades to come, keeping in view the competitiveness of the drivers.
Who got the most DNF’s in F1?
While the modern F1 drivers are known to be ultra-aggressive, the drivers of the old days were also no slouches when it came to getting their elbows out. An F1 driver’s psyche is developed in a way that forces them to go for a gap whenever it’s available, be it the modern ones or the older generation.
DNFs are a big part of the pinnacle of motor racing, and the driver who has to date kept the record of having the most number of DNFs in his career is the late Italian driver, Abdrea De Cesaris. He started competing in F1 from 1980 onwards, and by the end of his career in 1994, he had amassed a total of 194 DNFs.
During his racing days, he drove for teams like Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Ligier, Minardi, Brabham, Rial, Dallara, Jordan, Tyrell, and Sauber. While he was prone to DNFs, he could amass 59 career points with one pole position and one fastest lap. His last F1 entry was the 1994 European Grand Prix.
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Rishabh Negi
(3244 Articles Published)