Quick history for Americans in F1
I heard a crazy statistic one day that said, “Since 1970, more Americans have walked on the moon than have stood on an F1 podium.” That sounded odd, so I did some research and found out that it is actually true. That’s just a testament to how high the barriers of entry to F1 really are; it’s easier to get into space.
The first twenty years of F1 (1960-1980) looked significantly different than the last forty years; there has been a noticeable shift in influence. Early in F1, there was a significant American influence on the sport: multiple drivers in a season, podiums, wins, championships, and even American teams.
Initially, during the 1960s, American drivers like Hill, Gurney, and Ginther made a significant impact, securing multiple race wins, podium finishes, and even victories for American teams. Essential names in American racing like Jim Hall, Unser, Bondurant, and Shelby all took a crack at F1.
The 1970s continued this trend with more American race winners and podium finishers, culminating in Andretti's Drivers' Championship win in 1978. However, from the mid-1970s onwards, the American presence on the F1 grid gradually diminished, with fewer American drivers achieving success.
Andretti, Donohue, Follmer, Revson, Cheever, Andretti
Remarkably, in the same period since 1970, eight Americans have walked on the moon, and only six have graced an F1 podium. Notable American podium finishers include Andretti(Mario), Donohue, Revson, Follmer, Cheever, and Andretti (Michael). It's wild to think you have a better chance of standing on the moon than standing on the F1 podium as an American.
Podiums by American drivers (Chronological since 1970)
The most recent American driver to score points was Logan Sargeant in the 2023 USGP at COTA, securing 10th place and earning one point for Williams Racing. Michael Andretti was the last American to stand on an F1 podium, achieving a 3rd place finish at the 1993 Italian GP in Monza. Back-to-back points finishes were last achieved by Eddie Cheever in 1988, with a 6th place at Spa and a 3rd place at Monza, driving for Team Arrows. Similarly, the last back-to-back podium wins were recorded by Mario Andretti in 1978, with victories at the Belgian GP and the Spanish GP while driving for Lotus.
In recent years, Logan Sargeant made history by participating in two American F1 races, the Miami GP and the USGP at COTA, becoming the first American driver to do so since Eddie Cheever in 1984. Moreover, Sargeant became the first American driver in over three decades to race in three US-based F1 events, including the Miami GP, USGP at COTA, and the Vegas GP, echoing when Eddie Cheever achieved a similar feat in 1982.
