10 One-Time Wonders in F1 History

One-Time Wonders in F1

Robert Kubica

10. Pastor Maldonado – 2012 Spanish Grand Prix

The ultimate F1 one-hit wonder. Maldonado stunned everyone by beating Alonso and Raikkonen to win for Williams in 2012 — then spent the rest of his career making headlines for crashes, not wins.

9. Heikki Kovalainen – 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix

After joining McLaren alongside Hamilton, Kovalainen finally capitalized on luck and reliability issues to win in Budapest. It was smooth, calm — and his only moment of F1 glory.

8. Jean Alesi – 1995 Canadian Grand Prix

After years of near-misses, Alesi finally took his long-awaited win for Ferrari in Montreal on his 31st birthday. Fans adored him, but the win column never grew.

7. Jarno Trulli – 2004 Monaco Grand Prix

Trulli mastered Monaco’s streets to hold off Jenson Button and take a spectacular win for Renault. The “Trulli Train” lived on — but more for defense than victories.

6. Olivier Panis – 1996 Monaco Grand Prix

Only three cars finished that chaotic Monaco race, and Panis — driving a Ligier — made the most of it. One of F1’s most magical underdog moments.

5. Robert Kubica – 2008 Canadian Grand Prix

Kubica drove brilliantly to give BMW Sauber its only win, taking the championship lead briefly. But fate, injuries, and bad luck kept him from repeating it.

4. Alessandro Nannini – 1989 Japanese Grand Prix

He was declared the winner after the infamous Senna–Prost collision, but the moment didn’t last — he never got another chance to win before a helicopter accident ended his career.

3. Vittorio Brambilla – 1975 Austrian Grand Prix

Brambilla was leading when rain stopped the race — and he celebrated by crashing into the guardrail as he crossed the line. Pure F1 chaos, pure one-time wonder.

2. Giancarlo Baghetti – 1961 French Grand Prix

A debut winner! Baghetti won his first-ever World Championship race — something no one else has done since. Unfortunately, his career never took off afterward.

1. François Cevert – 1971 United States Grand Prix

Cevert’s only win came at Watkins Glen, but his talent and charisma suggested many more were coming — until his tragic death two years later ended what could’ve been a legendary career.