Which Famous Driver On The Current Grid Has Never Won The Australian Grand Prix?

With dust already settled on two of the season’s opening rounds, one each at Bahrain and the other at Saudi Arabia, the focus of the F1 circus has shifted to round three of the 2024 world championship season. This brings us to the famed Australian Grand Prix- a contest that is as rollicking as it is famed.

Technically speaking, the first-ever installation of the Australian Grand Prix was back in 1928, which indicates its presence in the sport during the pre-war era.

However, in the decades that followed, the vastly popular event shifted its base from Phillip Island to two other venues, Adelaide and Melbourne, in that order.

In the previous few decades, the Melbourne-bound street course has captured the imagination of globetrotting fans who have witnessed the dominant performances of the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari and as seen most recently, Red Bull.

That being told, the drivers who have won the most number of Grands Prix here at Australia happen to be Michael Schumacher; the German legend has to his name no fewer than 4 wins.

However, to talk of some of the most exhilarating talents of Formula 1, the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso too, have dominated the checkered racing venue.

Where it comes to former Formula 1 drivers, then the likes of Kimi Raikkonen (winning in 2013 with Lotus) and Sebastian Vettel (winning with Ferrari) painted the town red Down Under.

But what’s surprising is that someone as talented and fiercely competitive as Daniel Ricciardo has never won a single Australian Grand Prix contest.

Now even as the widely-known Perth-born driver’s chances of celebrating on the top step of the podium here at Melbourne seem a rather far-fetched reality or something that’s more like a dream like scenario given he’s in the junior Red Bull team, what’s a bit surprising is that Ricciardo is a driver who emerged triumphant in several circuits around the world.

Some of them were, it could be argued, far more competitive and gruelling than the street track at the Melbourne park.

Daniel Ricciardo, who is yet to win an Australian Grand Prix, has against his name checkered wins at distinctly competitive venues such as Shanghai (China), Monaco (Monte Carlo), and Baku (Azerbaijan), to name a few.

In all, the well-liked Honeybadger, who even won a defiant contest at Monza in his McLaren years has eight wins in all. And yet, to have never won a Grand Prix of Australia is somewhere disappointing.

Although, all of that said, he would be most interested in saving his career at the moment, which truth be told, is not in its most glowing state. Wouldn’t you agree?

But to speak specifically about those who hold a great chance at winning the Australian Grand Prix, the likes of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez of Red Bull come to the mind.

Interestingly, Perez, fondly known as Checo who too hasn’t yet won at Australia, holds the record for scoring the fastest-ever lap at the Australian Grand Prix. So maybe a win this time around will do it for the talented Mexican?