This web-site is dedicated to the NOT-SO-SUCCESFUL Formula 1 drivers from the past. In general, we tend to forget about them, because they are eclipsed by the drivers who had won many GP’s and some even World Championships, but may have been just as important to the evolution of the sport, which has grown to one of the biggest in the world…
Titles such as ‘lesser’, ‘unknown’ and ‘forgotten’ were all considered. We eventually chose Forgotten Drivers of F1 (“Forgotten”) not wanting to offend anyone, who qualifies for the group. Specific admission rules were created and, of course, one can always have different points of view on exactly who is forgotten and who is not, but we believe that in general, the criteria works out fine.
A driver MUST HAVE PARTICIPATED IN AT LEAST ONE OFFICIAL PRACTICE OR (PRE)QUALIFYING SESSION to be eligible for the group/web. An ENTRY ALONE is not sufficient to be included. Although the 1952 and 1953 championships were run to Formula 2 specifications, all drivers who have competed during those two seasons are welcome as well. The following also applies:
- Only drivers who started driving in F1 before the year 2000 are eligible
- Drivers who have won two or more Grands Prix are excluded
- Drivers with more than three podium finishes are excluded
- Formula 2 drivers taking part in combined F1/F2 races during GPs in Germany and Morocco are included
- Drivers who have only competed in the INDY 500 between 1950 and 1960 are excluded
- F1 test drivers and those who participated in non-World Championship events only, do not qualify.
This web-site is based on the facebook group called The “forgotten” drivers of F1. We hope that you would find interesting information and pictures on many lesser known drivers here. The phrase ‘When he/she also raced’ is intended to show what “our” racers have done in other categories, because in many cases they were champions and winners outside of Formula 1.
“Forgotten” is a money-free enterprise run solely by motor racing history enthusiasts. All the content (words, images, etc…) included on this web-site was submitted by amateur contributors. The web-site will not be held responsible for the content of any article submitted. Copyrights for the texts remain with the authors. Most pictures that appear here are either from our own archives, or were kindly provided by others or acquired from other web-sites that may no longer exist. The pictures usually come from old magazines and books or originate from various photographic archives. Many original sources have become unknown over time. The web-site acknowledges that these pictures are protected by copyright laws, and warns others against any (commercial) reproduction without the written permission of the copyright owner(s). “Forgotten” reproduces these pictures in a fair-use context, without the purpose of commercial profit or gain. We would encourage and welcome copyright holders to come forward to identify their ownership. You can contact us with your copyright queries through the e-mail address in the page header.
Any form of reproduction, in whole or in part, of text, photography (in case the photos were taken by ourselves or our contributors) and illustrations, for private or research purposes is generally permitted, as long as “Forgotten” is credited as the source. Copying for business purposes, or blatant copy-and-paste elsewhere on the internet, are most certainly not authorized.
