Latin American Pilots Who Have Gone Through F1

Formula 1 has had great pilots with different nationalities throughout its history. However, Latin Americans have been present since the beginning of the competition, in 1950. Although it may not seem like it, there are several runners of Latin origin who have participated in the event, including the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the Brazilian Ayrton Senna and others that we will review below:

You can also read: Gallery: Fernando Alonso and the Other Drivers with More than 100 Podiums in Formula 1

Ayrton Senna

The Brazilian driver, who died in 1994 at the age of 34 due to an accident at the San Marino Grand Prix, was crowned F1 world champion three times, runner-up twice and once finished third in the series. For many, this man was one of the most relevant runners in the history of this competition, since he was characterized by being fast and aggressive with his driving for the time in which he came to compete.

Juan Pablo Montoya

One of the most important pilots that Latin America has had. The trajectory of the borne in Bogota in F1 was truly amazing. During 2001 and 2006, Montoya achieved more than 30 podiums, 13 pole positions and 7 victories, his majestic battles against Michael Schumacher marked a history without any comparison for Colombian sports. This is why this pilot is considered one of the great visionaries in Colombian motorsports. Currently, the Colombian is focused on the career of his son Sebastián Montoya, who is already competing in F3 at just 17 years old and wants to take the same steps as his father.

Juan Manuel Fangio

The Argentine is considered by many as the best of the time. Between 1951 and 1958 he won 5 Formula 1 world titles. Hand in hand with Ferrari, the Argentine managed to put himself in the motorsport books, leaving behind the name of his country and the entire region, which entered the radar of this sport thanks to the wonderful presentations of this pilot. Fangio died due to health problems in 1995 and despite the years passing, his legend lives on.

Nelson Piquet

The Brazilian competitor is also positioned as one of the most important Latin Americans in the contest. He started in Formula 1 in 1978 and retired in 1991, crowning himself champion three times. Currently, the runner was sanctioned by a Brazilian court with a fine of 780,000 pounds for using a racial slur towards Lewis Hamilton and the decision was celebrated by the British publicly, an aspect that went around the world several months ago.

Mexicans who have gone through F1

The most important has been the current rider of the Red Bull Racing team, Sergio 'Checo' Pérez, who is the only Latin American who currently runs the most important automobile event on the planet. Since 2011 he has achieved 5 victories and in the current season he managed to place first overall, thus he will seek to achieve his first world title.

Pedro Rodríguez de la Vega was the first Mexican to race in F1. During 1963 and 1971, he won 2 prizes and died at the age of 31 in the 200 miles (321.87 km) of the Norisring, in Germany. Despite his tragic and premature death, the Mexican runner is considered one of the great legends of his country in this sport.

The future of Latin Americans in F1

Despite the fact that Formula 1 currently does not have the presence of many Latin American drivers, in the future, riders such as the Colombian Sebastián Montoya, who has been taking slow but sure steps in Formula 3 and the Argentine Franco Colapinto, who competes with MP Motorsport in the same contest promise to bring great joy to this side of the continent.