10 F1 rejects that made career elsewhere

F1 rejects that made career elsewhere

Takuma Sato

10. Takuma Sato

After a rollercoaster stint in Formula 1 with BAR and Super Aguri, Takuma Sato never quite achieved the consistency fans hoped for. But when he switched to IndyCar, his career completely transformed. Sato became a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion (2017 and 2020), earning legendary status in American open-wheel racing. He proved that even if F1 doesn’t work out, talent and determination can shine elsewhere — especially on one of motorsport’s biggest stages.

9. Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Bourdais arrived in Formula 1 as a four-time Champ Car champion, but his time at Toro Rosso never delivered results. When he left F1, many thought his career was over — instead, he went back to what he did best. Bourdais returned to American racing, reclaimed success in IndyCar, and added sports-car victories in IMSA and Le Mans. He’s the ultimate example of a driver who thrived outside the F1 bubble.

8. Ricardo Rosset

Ricardo Rosset’s brief F1 career in the late 1990s with Arrows and Tyrrell was plagued by poor results and uncompetitive cars. After leaving the sport, he stepped away from racing entirely and found success in business. Rosset became a major player in Brazil’s sportswear industry, proving that even a struggling F1 driver can reinvent himself beyond the track and turn his fortunes around.

7. Patrick Friesacher

Patrick Friesacher’s F1 stint with Minardi in 2005 was short-lived, ending midseason after sponsorship issues. But he didn’t vanish — he went on to compete in endurance racing and worked with Red Bull as a professional stunt and demonstration driver. Friesacher became a go-to figure for Red Bull’s show runs and exhibitions, turning his F1 experience into a steady, behind-the-scenes career few fans even realize exists.

6. Alexander Rossi

Alexander Rossi got his long-awaited F1 debut with Manor in 2015 but couldn’t secure a full-time seat afterward. Instead of fading away, he jumped to IndyCar — and in his first attempt, he won the 2016 Indianapolis 500 as a rookie. That one race made him an American racing hero overnight. Since then, Rossi has become a consistent front-runner in IndyCar, showing that getting dropped from F1 was only the beginning of his real success story.

5. Kamui Kobayashi

Known for his fearless overtakes, Kamui Kobayashi was a fan favorite during his F1 days with Toyota, Sauber, and Caterham. But after his exit, he shifted gears to sports-car racing — and excelled. Kobayashi became a Le Mans 24 Hours winner and team leader with Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Endurance Championship. He also became the first Japanese driver to win as both a racer and team principal, proving his leadership off the track matched his aggression on it.

4. Felipe Nasr

Felipe Nasr’s two-year F1 career with Sauber showed promise, but sponsorship cuts ended it too soon. Instead of disappearing, Nasr reinvented himself in sports-car racing, where he’s found major success — including IMSA championships and endurance race victories with Porsche. He’s now one of the most respected names in North American endurance racing, proving that there’s plenty of life beyond the F1 paddock.

3. Esteban Gutiérrez

Esteban Gutiérrez had multiple chances in F1 with Sauber and Haas but struggled to secure long-term results. After his exit, he turned to other series — including Formula E and the World Endurance Championship — while also serving as a Mercedes F1 reserve driver. Though his F1 chapter closed early, Gutiérrez carved out a steady, diverse motorsport career and stayed relevant in the global racing scene.

2. Bruno Senna

Living under the shadow of his uncle Ayrton Senna made Bruno’s time in F1 nearly impossible to separate from family expectations. After short stints with HRT, Renault, and Williams, Bruno moved to endurance racing — and that’s where he truly thrived. He became a World Endurance Champion and a respected figure in sports cars. Freed from the pressures of the Senna legacy, he built his own name through skill and perseverance.

1. Romain Grosjean

Romain Grosjean’s F1 career was a rollercoaster — flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency and controversy. But when his time at Haas ended in 2020, he made a bold move to IndyCar. Free from F1 politics, Grosjean rediscovered his fire. He earned multiple podiums, became a fan favorite in the U.S., and proved that his raw speed never left him. His comeback story, especially after surviving his fiery Bahrain crash, turned him from an F1 “nearly man” into one of motorsport’s most admired fighters.