Who holds the record for most positions gained in an F1 race?

In Formula One, overtaking is one of the most thrilling and exciting aspects of the sport. Watching a driver make a daring move to pass their opponent can be a heart-pumping moment for fans. And while winning a race is always the ultimate goal, sometimes it’s the number of positions gained that can make a driver stand out.

Dive in and take a closer look at the driver who holds the record for the most positions gained in a single F1 race and other records related to overtaking, including the driver with the most overtakes, the most overtakes for a win and the race with the most overtakes.

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Most positions gained in an F1 race

The history of F1 racing is filled with unforgettable moments and record-breaking performances, and among these, the achievement of Jim Rathmann stands out. Rathmann holds the overall record for the most places gained in a round of the F1 championship, having gained a remarkable 30 places in the 1957 Indianapolis 500 to finish as the runner-up. Nevertheless, the record for most positions won in a Grand Prix is 26, set by Roberto Mieres in the 1954 British Grand Prix on his route to a sixth-place finish. Onofre Marimon is second on the list after finishing third in the same event after starting 28th on the grid.

At the 1954 British Grand Prix, Roberto Mieres achieved an impressive record of his own. Despite starting from the back of the grid due to arriving late, Mieres managed to gain 26 places and finish in sixth place, just two seconds behind Maurice Trintignant. This achievement was all the more remarkable considering the challenging track conditions, with rain and visibility issues caused by oil barrels placed on the inside of corners. It was a fantastic performance that proved Mieres’ skill and tenacity on the track.

The 1954 British Grand Prix also saw Juan Manuel Fangio breaking the track record, only to face problems later on due to damage to his car and gearbox issues. Despite Gonzalez’s dominant performance in winning the race and Hawthorn finishing on the lead lap, it was Mieres who captured the attention of the spectators and earned their admiration for his impressive performance in the face of adversity. His story is a testament to the grit and determination that are necessary to succeed in the highly competitive world of F1 racing.

Who holds the record for the most places to gained win an F1 race?

While the record for most positions gained goes to Jim Rathmann, he did not win the race, so who’s the driver that gained the most positions to win an F1 race? The answer to this is John Watson at the United States Grand Prix West. It was a legendary motor race staged in Long Beach, California, and had a spectacular clash in 1983. The second race of the 1983 Formula One World Championship featured 28 drivers competing for the coveted title. Northern Irishman John Watson was at the helm of the proceedings, claiming his fifth and last F1 victory, an accomplishment that still echoes in the annals of racing history. Incidentally, Watson’s feat was accomplished from the 22nd starting position, the lowest starting position from which a driver has ever won an F1 race. He gained 21 positions to win the race, one more than the whole current grid.

The 1983 Long Beach Grand Prix was an exciting race, with cars battling for the lead throughout the 75-lap race. Watson’s rise to the top was a testimonial to his exceptional talent and agility behind the wheel. Despite starting in a seemingly disadvantaged position, the McLaren-Ford driver battled his way up to second before passing teammate Niki Lauda for the lead on the 36th lap. Watson’s dogged chase and strong fortitude were obvious, especially as he fought a cramp in his right leg, but he held off Lauda to clinch a resounding victory by nearly half a minute. The previous record was 17th at the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix. That was, again, John Watson.

Most overtakes by a driver over the entire F1 season

Max Verstappen‘s sensational debut for Red Bull in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix marked a turning point in the Dutch driver’s career. Despite his tender age of 18, he displayed his immense talent and skill, holding off Kimi Raikkonen on a two-stop strategy to secure victory. In a remarkable season, Verstappen recorded an impressive 78 overtakes over the 21-race calendar and holds the record for the most overtakes in a season, averaging 3.7 per race, according to Pirelli’s end-of-season data. 

This tally shattered the previous record of 60 overtakes in a single season, which was shared by Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda. Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen’s teammate, managed 61 overtakes, which would have been a record in itself had it not been for the young Dutchman’s astonishing achievement.

F1 race with the most overtakes – dry race 

The 2016 Russian Grand Prix was a highly dramatic race, with a series of incidents and pit stops that claimed the title for the race with the most overtakes, a staggering 161. After a strong start, Daniel Ricciardo took the lead from pole-sitter Nico Rosberg, but a tyre failure on lap three allowed Rosberg to regain the lead. A safety car period brought many drivers into the pits for fresh tyres, but Rosberg stayed out and built a comfortable lead. Despite this, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton worked their way up the field after pit stops, adding to the excitement of the race.

The race continued to be unpredictable, with several overtaking maneuvers and a number of pit stops in the second half of the race. Ricciardo finished in fourth place, overtaking Hamilton and Felipe Massa, while Kimi Räikkönen overtook Hamilton for seventh. The entire grid finished the race, with Rosberg taking his third win of the season and extending his championship lead. Overall, the 2016 Russian Grand Prix was exciting and holds the title for the most overtakes in a dry race. 

F1 race with the most overtakes- wet race

The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was a historic race with a record-breaking number of overtakes (wet race), 144 total overtakes. With wet weather conditions and differing tyre strategies, drivers battled for position throughout the race. Sebastian Vettel, who needed only a top-four finish to secure his third consecutive World Championship title, had a poor start and collided with Bruno Senna. Despite damage to his car, he fought his way up the order, making several overtakes along the way.

The race also saw impressive performances from Jenson Button, who took the lead from Nico Hülkenberg after the safety car restart, and Hülkenberg himself, who briefly led the race before colliding with Lewis Hamilton. The retirements of Hamilton and Paul di Resta, as well as the collisions between Vettel and Senna, and Hülkenberg and Hamilton, added to the unpredictability of the race. In the end, Button took the victory, while Fernando Alonso finished in second place, securing Vettel’s championship win despite him finishing in sixth.

The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was a thrilling showcase of skill and strategy, with drivers making daring overtakes and teams making crucial decisions in changing weather conditions. With a record-breaking number of overtakes, the race will be remembered as one of the most exciting in Formula One history.

In conclusion, overtaking is an essential part of Formula One racing, and it’s a skill that drivers must master to succeed. While John Rathmann holds the record for the most positions gained in a single race, it was John Watson who truly showcased the art of overtaking by gaining 22 positions to win the 1983 US Grand Prix. As fans, we’ll always be on the edge of our seats, hoping to witness another breathtaking overtake that will go down in F1 history. 

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