UNSUNG NURBURGRING F1 DRIVES

With the Nurburgring returning to the Formula 1 calendar for the Eifel Grand Prix last weekend, it’s time to recall the best lesser-known drives at the ‘Green Hell’ that didn’t result in a win

5 TAKUMA SATO, 2004

A career-best second in qualifying meant Sato led in his high-flying BAR 006 after polesitter Michael Schumacher pitted his Ferrari. After his third stop, Sato resumed in third just behind the two-stopping Rubens Barrichello and wasted no time in attacking at Turn 1. Caught unawares, the Brazilian turned in and broke Sato’s front wing. Shortly after pitting for a replacement and rejoining in fifth, Sato’s engine cried enough.

4 CARLOS PACE, 1973

The Surtees squad was hardly a topliner, and Pace qualified his TS14A 11th, but he climbed to a surprise fifth as Niki Lauda and Peter Revson both crashed. Pace then headed a queue stuck behind Carlos Reutemann – struggling with a slow puncture – for six laps until the DFV in the Argentinian’s Brabham blew, moving Pace up to fourth. There he stayed to give Surtees its best result of the year, setting a lap record too.

3 KARL KLING, 1954

On only his third world championship start, 43-year-old Kling was faster than his mighty Mercedes W196 team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio. From the back of the grid after losing a wheel in qualifying, and despite a fuel leak that required an extra pitstop, Kling remarkably managed to lead the race. Fourth – and fastest lap – was the eventual result for Kling as the rear-axle mounting broke, while Fangio won.

2 CLIFF ALLISON, 1958

Last-starting Allison found an early affinity with his Lotus 16. He was up to eighth by the end of lap one and into fourth on lap four as Stirling Moss retired. After Peter Collins’s fatal crash, Allison hung on to the tail of Tony Brooks in their battle for victory until a holed radiator on lap 13 put paid to his chances. Still, his performance proved strong enough for him to be signed by Ferrari for the following season.

1 MIKA HAKKINEN, 1997

Hakkinen was still in search of his first win at the 1997 Luxembourg GP, but the Mclaren MP4/12 driver would start from a maiden pole position. His race lead was never threatened, either by team-mate David Coulthard or eventual winner Jacques Villeneuve’s Williams. After Coulthard’s Mercedes engine blew, Hakkinen was 17s clear when his own V10 followed suit one lap later, ending his 29th birthday on a sour note.