Only Five Americans Have Won a Formula 1 Grand Prix
Summary
Only five U.S. drivers have won a Formula 1 race – Richie Ginther, Peter Revson, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti – a modest tally given America’s strong domestic racing scene.
America’s domestic motorsport scene is among the world’s strongest, yet only five drivers from the United States have ever won a World Championship Formula 1 Grand Prix as of 2026. The list spans early pioneers and culminates with Mario Andretti’s 1978 title – the only American drivers’ championship to date.
Why it matters:
- F1 is the pinnacle of single‑seater racing; American victories prove the talent can compete at the highest level.
- The scarcity of wins highlights the cultural and logistical gap between U.S. series (IndyCar, NASCAR) and the Europe‑centric F1 ecosystem.
- Rising U.S. fan interest, new American teams and a growing junior‑driver pipeline could close that gap in the coming years.
The details:
- Richie Ginther – 1 win (1965 Mexican GP), 52 starts, best finish 3rd (1963). Helped Ferrari and BRM win constructors’ titles.
- Peter Revson – 2 wins (1973 British & Canadian GPs), 30 starts, best finish 5th (1972‑73). Died in testing crash.
- Phil Hill – 3 wins, 49 starts, 1961 World Champion – first American titleholder.
- Dan Gurney – 4 wins, 86 starts, best finish 4th (1961, 1965). Won for Ferrari, Porsche and Brabham; pioneered the “Gurney flap.”
- Mario Andretti – 12 wins, 128 starts, 1978 World Champion – most successful American in F1.
What's next:
The United States now hosts its own Grand Prix, fields the Haas team, and is producing drivers who are climbing the junior ladder. Logan Sargeant’s 2023 debut and the rise of American talent in F2 suggest the next American win could arrive soon.
Original Article :https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/these-are-americas-five-f1-race-winners/10800...