Only a handful of drivers have made comebacks in the sport.
In the world of sports, careers can go for many seasons, but relatively few climb to the top of their sport. Then staying there becomes a challenge, and it is why many athletes lost the billing they once held. The good news is that some figure out a way to regain their status. It’s called a ‘comeback.’
Formula 1 is no exception. Only a few drivers have made comebacks, even though many have tried. Niki Lauda and Alain Prost head the list of those who succeeded.
Niki Lauda (photo, ODT)
Lauda is perhaps the best example because of his long time off. He won two world titles with Ferrari in 1975 and 1977, followed by switching to Brabham until 1979. Following his first retirement that same season, the Austrian began running his private company, Lauda Air, before returning to drive for McLaren between 1982 and 1985. That is when he won his third and final world championship in 1984.
After his final season at McLaren, Lauda retired for a second time, becoming an advisor for Jaguar and Mercedes, before passing away in 2019.
Who was Lauda’s teammate? It was none other than Prost who got along with Lauda very well. That is saying something: great talents on the same team at the same time, getting along and enjoying their time together.
Prost drove for Renault first and just missed out on the world title in 1983. He continued driving for McLaren, where he won titles in 1985, 1986, and 1989. Prost then drove for Ferrari for two seasons but was let go for controversial reasons. He took one year off and returned in 1993 to drive for Williams, where he won his fourth and final world championship.
Prost retired afterward, eventually running his own F1 team, where it finally went bankrupt in 2003. Today, Prost is an advisor for the Alpine Team.
Michael Schumacher is another driver who made a comeback. He won world titles in 1994, 1995, and from 2000-2004. Then, in 2012 (his last season in Formula 1), Schumacher made a final podium appearance at the European Grand Prix.
Today, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso might have one or two more years before they call it quits. Lewis Hamilton is another name on that list. Hamilton, who replaced Schumacher as the top driver in the sport, has won seven world titles and is looking for an eighth. But the emergence of 23-year-old Max Verstappen is challenging the veteran.
Everybody is asking how long it will be before Hamilton rests on his laurels and leaves the sport. And if he loses his title to Verstappen, will Hamilton attempt a comeback?
Comebacks are very difficult to accomplish. Just as difficult is the decision an athlete must make–to hang it up or forge ahead.
