10 F1 drivers who left teams at the worst time

Sebastian Vettel could have been one of Max Verstappen’s closest rivals this season.
During his two years with Aston Martin, Vettel stood on the podium twice (one of those podium finishes taken away shortly after) when everything fell right but the car was usually at the lower end of F1’s midfield, with the team finishing seventh of 10 in the constructors’ standings in both 2021 and 2022.
Then just as Vettel exits the team, Aston Martin takes a huge stride forward with Vettel’s replacement Fernando Alonso scooping three straight podiums at the start of 2023 and becoming the Red Bull drivers’ closest rival in the points standings.
While Vettel had his off-track reasons and had already achieved so much with 53 wins and 57 poles alongside his quartet of titles, you can’t help but wonder if the timing of his exit from the team was one of the most unfortunate in F1 history.
That got us thinking about previous F1 champions or race winners from the last 40 years who left a team - whether it be through their own choice like Vettel or against their wishes - right before it made a big performance leap and produced considerably more competitive machinery.
00:00 Number 10
00:53 Number 9
01:38 Number 8
02:36 Number 7
03:21 Number 6
04:21 Number 5
05:29 Number 4
06:12 Number 3
07:09 Number 2
08:00 Number 1
Subscribe: the-race.com/youtube_subscribe
Website: the-race.com/
Twitter: @wearetherace
Instagram: @wearetherace
Facebook: / wearetherace
Podcasts: the-race.com/podcasts
Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment, please also hit subscribe to show your support so we'll keep doing what we're doing.
www.the-race.com
/ wearetherace
#f1 #formula1 #f12023 #formulaone #f1history #sebastianvettel #fernandoalonso #astonmartin #lewishamilton #michaelschumacher #mercedes #redbull #davidcoulthard #mclaren #ferrari #honda #jensonbutton #grandprix #therace

[@stefanstenroos6344]

I think Seb's only regret was not winning a championship with Ferrari like his hero did.

[@commanderlewisskipperton8721]

Yes.

[@LouSassol69er]

Nobody could win a championship in that time with Mercedes getting such a massive head start in 2014.

[@christiansimmons630]

@@LouSassol69er there was no head start, stop peddling a known misconception All the engine suppliers had the same amount of time to develop the new hybrid engines - Mercedes just did a better job

[@getwhatdeserve5039]

​@@LouSassol69er Vettel had every opportunity in 2018. After Germany, even Kimi had the better of him. Vettel was never the same after that race.

[@LouSassol69er]

@@christiansimmons630 I'm talking about 2014 being a head start in general for Mercedes in the same way the RB18 was a head start for Redbull last year compared to the competition and development. Don't be so combative. You misunderstood the context of my comment.

[@andreipop1]

I don't think Vettel regrets his decision. It was not all about racing in his life anymore.

[@coronasdelaurel]

Reutemann could actually make it into the list as well. He left Ferrari after 1978 to go to Lotus in 1979. His replacement in Ferrari, Jody Scheckter, would win the WDC and Ferrari itself would win the WCC. In 1982 with Williams the mood wasn't the best after all what happened in 1981, so while at first he decided to stay on the team, he ended up retiring for good after just two races. His teammate Keke Rosberg would become the world champion at the end of that tragic season.

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

For 1982, Reutemann retired due to outbreak of Falkland war. As Argentinian, he didn't want to race for British team. It was understandable decision, but still a bad one.

[@KayJblue]

I wish that this channel focused on more stuff pre 90s. They only know 90s-2010s stuff.

[@coronasdelaurel]

@@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158 Yeah, the Falklands were also a reason but considering that part of the team, including Patrick Head, were against him after what happened in Brazil 1981, I don't think that it was a good environment for him even after Jones retirement. In fact, Reutemann retired after 1981 but was persuaded by Frank Williams to stay for 1982. The Falklands War were the straw that broke the camel's back.

[@cornevangulik6166]

I think Vettel wanted to fight for titles again, he knew that wasn’t gonna happen soon at Aston, so him choosing his family over finishing p2’s and 3’s isn’t one he will consider as bittersweet.

[@hybridAbsol]

I wished he wasnt married and i want his anti-hero self back

[@armands3153]

​@@hybridAbsol Ok...

[@f1videosforf1fans99]

As a Fernando fan, It was painful to see him switching teams to what always looked a promising team but always would disapoint us. This year we already had Lost all Hope and damn It was finally a good decission. Thank god

[@manusiaganteng2753]

It was his own fault in 2007 jumping ship after he threw a tantrum all year because he didn't get automatic number 1 status then preceeded to try and blackmail McLaren. His reputation wouldn't have been in tatters and he would have had another chance to get a title in 2008, and might well have done so given Hamilton was error prone in 2008.

[@f1videosforf1fans99]

@@manusiaganteng2753 agreed

[@0megalul309]

@@manusiaganteng2753 after the way Dennis was screwing up with the team it was better for him to leave. Dennis only likes subservient drivers, he couldn't deal with jpm also

[@jbc1230]

Fernando fails in choosing the right team but he didnt mistake in leaving ferrari

[@CarlG84mm]

I think you could include Schumacher’s retirement in 2006 in this list as well. Even if Raikkonen had more raw pace at that stage of Schumacher’s career, Schumacher was a much more consistent driver and I think that alone could have won him the 2007 and 2008 titles.

[@hsttms9998]

Schumacher was forced to retire after 2006. Ferrari already signed Raikkonen for 2007.

[@LouSassol69er]

Mclaren should've won the 2007 championship. Raikkonen got pretty lucky that year. Wouldn't say Schumacher got out at the wrong time.

[@ultrascreens5206]

Totally agree especially when you look at Massa’s performances. Schumi still had enough to win in 07 and 08.

[@soundscape26]

@@LouSassol69er The way Lewis lost the 2007 championship is incredible. Having a 17 point (old points system) lead over Kimi entering the 2 final races and ending up losing it by a single point. Still, likely the best rookie season ever.

[@michaelp4122]

If Schumacher didn't retire from Ferrari, he could have won the 2007/2008 seasons. I think leaving Ferrari in his late 30's hurt more then leaving benz in his mid 40's

[@MuhammadNiz007]

Sebastian has no regrets because he has a family unlike Fernando and many other drivers

[@Ariespradana13]

because too lazy

[@titancheat]

​@@Ariespradana13definitely not

[@commanderlewisskipperton8721]

Apart from Aston actually being good this year, yes.

[@soundscape26]

True... having a bad car surely played a part but his mind was already elsewhere. You only get one chance to watch your kids (even more 3) grow and the current calendar is gruelling with constant hints at expansion.

[@garythefishable]

Nah, trust me he's kicking himself. This would have been his redemption arc.

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

Let's add few more, just for fun: 1. Fittipaldi leaving McLaren to join his brother's team; 2. Lauda leaving Ferrari before the end of 1977; 3. Reutemann leaving Ferrari at the end of 1978; 4. Piquet leaving Williams after winning title in 1987 (although I understand why he did it); 5. Brundle leaving Benetton at the end of 1992; 6. Phil Hill leaving Ferrari and going to ATS in 1963 (a move that singlehandedly destroyed his F1 career); 7. Peterson leaving Lotus for March after 1974; 8. Patrese leaving Brabham for Alfa Romeo in 1984; 9. Modena leaving Tyrrell for Jordan in 1992; 10. Irvine leaving Ferrari for Jaguar in 2000.

[@Numero6dl]

The list of the video is "Pilots leaving a mediocre/bad team just before it became good. Many of your choices are pilots already in a good car (you even put Lauda and Piquet who WON the title).

[@potatogirlcultist19]

Fittipladi be like: I don't need more championships... Because I got family

[@crystalracing4794]

Peterson returned to Lotus for 78, so maybe not

[@FCB001]

The Piquet one is wrong, cause the 1988 Williams was a unreliable shitbox, after they lost their Honda engines and had to replace them with Judd engines.

[@alexmckeown9138]

Notice, straight into the video and no BS for 1 minute. Noice job

[@liamthomas9622]

This is just a 1-10 of Alonso career

[@wolfgangvan-uber6515]

Don’t agree. He also made many right decisions in his career. His move to Renault in 2003, winning 2 championships, then in 2007 his move to McLaren almost did pay off as well, and also his move to Ferrari in 2010 where he challenged for the title twice. And now for 2023 from Alpine to Aston Martin was also the right choice.

[@allanfelix2613]

I don't get it, the only time Alonso moved away from a team and that team won a championship was McLaren in 2008, but that was a completely different story with the relationship crumbling thanks to Ron Dennis. None of the other teams he moved away from have gone on to achieve championship success, which is what he was chasing and demanded from the team

[@xamsedalabay6809]

Alonso is one of the lackiest drivers in formula one and had race winning cars, but Alonso fans like to say otherwise.

[@hfbloke706]

@@xamsedalabay6809 what the fuck 💀

[@KayJblue]

@@xamsedalabay6809 Sure he’s had a lot of race winning cars, the point is he never had proper a championship contender outside of 06’ 2007 was his big lost opportunity. 08’ and 9’ were mediocre. Red Bull was stronger in 2010, Dominant in 2011 His car was barely a contender in 2012 And he had mediocre or shit cars from 2013-2018 and 2021-22. Just look at his pole to win ratio, he doesn’t need the fastest car to win a race.

[@aifrench14]

It's quite sad really that one of the sports all time greats (if not the greatest ever) was forced out of his seat both times he "retired" in 2006 & 2012 :( Although I think he was more ready to go in 2012, in hindsight he'd have been better moving teams in 2006 than retiring... I've never understood DC's decision to get out of Williams when he did, rumour is that Williams rated him more highly than Hill following Hill's disastrous 95 campaign. John Watson (in my opinion) is one of the most underrated drivers in F1 history. Button almost joined Toro Roso after Honda pulled out for 2009 if memory serves me correctly? That would have been a pretty disastrous move had it happened!

[@connorappleton1945]

Toro Rosso was actually really good in 2008 (better than Red Bull) it would have been understandable as to why Jenson would have seen it as a strong move at the time.

[@KayJblue]

Schumacher could be in this list for a lot. 1996: could have supposedly won the title in the Benetton if he didn’t go to Ferrari at that point. 2007: could have won the championship, even in 08 considering he came back. 2013: Was competitive with Rosberg and improving so could have maybe challenged in 2014. In 06’ and 13’ especially he was supposedly pushed as much as he jumped though.

[@soundscape26]

Schumi would be 45 in 2014... I don't think he would stood a chance against Nico tbh.

[@luscorpio3679]

John Watson's career feels like a bit of a curious case for me. He was already fairly old when he got to McLaren, and he feels a bit forgotten despite finishing 2nd in the championship in the bogus 1982 season and winning at Long Beach from 22nd on the grid in 83, which i believe is the furthest grid position to win a race to this day.

[@JoeStudd96]

During his McLaren years from 1981-83, despite his age, it was said he was the best overtaker on the grid.

[@michaelp4122]

Oh Schumacher. Broke his leg in 1999, losing that championship, retiring from Ferrari just before Kimi and maybe Massa won championships, and then Benz. Could have been a 10x champion this GOAT, and this is ignoring his post retirement benz years.

[@selder_7]

Getting dropped by the team is different from leaving thinking you’re making a better move and then it later being shown to have been a terrible one. Boutsen didn’t make the wrong call, it was made for him

[@birandkoray]

you should make the video about the reverse: 10 drivers who left the team at the right time

[@commanderlewisskipperton8721]

Good idea.

[@peterfighter]

Michael Schumacher (Benetton) Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) Ayrton Senna (McLaren) Jenson Button (Brawn) Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)

[@no1washerezz]

@@peterfighter lewis hamilton mclaren

[@memmener]

It would have been cool to see Alonso and Seb both driving for AM in 2023..

[@DJ-Ophidian]

Hmmm I wonder what stood in the way of that happening…

[@titancheat]

The dream team of f1

[@soundscape26]

@@DJ-Ophidian For starters Lance would never lose his seat.

[@vi14753]

Lance has a lifetime seat at Aston martin, I really do think lance doesn't deserve the seat if I put seb as another option

[@connorappleton1945]

Might have happened if Stroll still broke his arm and the AM driver academy never formed

[@rubywest5166]

"10 F1 drivers who left teams" *Half of the drivers were pushed* Bruh

[@RACECAR]

To be fair, being forced to leave still means they left sooo...

[@MTbone7]

Danny Ric leaving RB wasn't such a good idea either

[@pgn666]

why? he was earning in Renault and Mclaren 10 times more than RB would pay him even if hew would be on par with Max:)

[@Nefus1988]

entire Red Bull was centered around Max he obviously didn´t like that

[@gamingnoah9807]

​@@pgn666 ricciardo fans always talk about the money thing, his career in f1 was a failure

[@pgn666]

@@gamingnoah9807 im not his fan. But as a business decison hi chosesn wisely!

[@titancheat]

@pgn666 yeah it's a tough one. He'd have more wins but probably less money. At least he pocketed Zacks cash and doesn't have to drive a box.

[@yahyarajaee5883]

Although Maldonado made the wrong call, I was rooting for Williams the next year because I liked the drivers. Also you know it's a slow day when The Race makes a top 10 video.

[@RandomBro5]

I'd love to see '10 F1 drivers who jumped ship right on time'!

[@alexpeak16]

Barrichello: Stewart to Ferrari for 2000 Hamilton: McLaren to Mercedes for 2013 (of course) Sainz: McLaren to Ferrari for 2021 I'd probably add Hulkenberg with his 2011 year out because at least he didn't get to drive the dreadful Williams FW33. Also throw in Sauber back to Force India for '14 Montoya/Ralf Schumacher: Williams to McLaren/Toyota. Williams took a big nosedive in 2005 and were even worse in 2006. Kubica: BMW-Sauber to Renault for 2010. Senna: Lotus to McLaren-Honda for 1988.

[@edspencer2756]

Surprised Jean Alesi isn't on this list

[@titancheat]

I was just thinking Damon hill when willams got villnueve too

[@zxr-cade2026]

Schumacher could and should have won 10 world titles, no one will ever be as great as Michael he is the GOAT 🐐🐐🐐🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪🏎️🏎️🏎️

[@benediktwindisch2778]

At least Button didn't went to Williams and stayed in the bad Honda team. When it became Brawn, he got his well-earned title. Shame that McLaren was on the downfall when 2013 began. I'm sure in a better car Buttons smooth driving style would've give him more wins

[@AJBa83]

1961: Tony Brooks did a Vettel and retired rather than continue with 62 title winners BRM. 1965: Dan Gurney left Brabham (champions in 66 and 67) for his own AAR Eagles. 1969: Chris Amon left Ferrari, the 1970 runner ups. 1985: Rosberg left Williams for McLaren. Not a major demotion since Prost won in 86 but Williams Honda was definitely the best car. 1992: Patrese jumped out of Williams for one year with Benetton. Just before they got good too.

[@Ricky_Baldy]

Vettel was never the same after binning it in Hockenheim in 2018. The magic was gone after that. I think somewhere deep down he knew he blew it.

[@JoeStudd96]

Watson could well have been the Champ in 1984. Such a shame. Also the whole 'what if?' of Michael staying at Merc is sadder when you realise he might not have had his skiing accident had he not retired.

[@DailyShit.]

Vettel does not regret is just as much as Schumi did not regret it when he left Mercedes before the Turbo Hybrid. They made the progress in later years possible with their experience. They wanted to retire and already accomplished a lot.

[@HaraiGoshi345]

Pretty weird how a “British American Racing” team was built for a stubborn little French Canadian.

[@RACECAR]

Craig Pollock had some massive faith in his driver, even if this team was one of the more overambitious displays of confidence for said driver.

[@bk34563]

Everybody seemed to overlook Vettels possible role in AMR doing so well this year. Sure he might regret not being there now, but he can take comfort in knowing that his feedback and experience is a big part of them making the leap forward. Could be that being good “a year early” is his achievement?

[@commanderlewisskipperton8721]

Shows you should sometimes stick with your team, even if things look bad at the moment.

[@soundscape26]

Take note Charles and Lando. 😄

[@deweberis2709]

And let's not forget Emerson Fittipaldi that left McLaren after a WDC and a Vice in 1974~75 to start his own racing team. 😥

[@teamredgutz399]

Seb for sure. Would have loved to see him be able to fight for podiums. But I think Alonso is hungrier and is probably the better driver for Aston Martin. Obviously the other seat is Lance’s as long as he wants is and can drive credibly.

[@1985slipstream]

3:07 it looks insane now seeing a drivers head that far out the cockpit. and looks big as the cars were so much smaller then

[@Srga91]

You could add Riccardo Patrese retiring at the end of '93 to the list, as he missed out on a championship-winning car at Benetton. Not that he was unlucky, far from it. He was very lucky landing a seat at Williams for '91 & '92.

[@brokentuskclan1795]

Montoya bailed a year before McLaren stopped using Lego engines.

[@chrisc475]

God, just imagine if Lewis stayed at McLaren and Schumacher was at Merc in 2014. I do think it'd end up with Nico being a multiple WDC but there would have been a possible 8th, 9th or even more for MS.

[@miguelurrutdarkorangefan2750]

Alonso didn't have bad luck, his personality made for toxic team cultures. He seems have have come back with a bit more humility. Talent he has always had in spades.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

I’m not sure that Seb would be extracting the same as Alonso at Aston Martin.

[@YeaBroer]

I'd love to have seen Alonso and Vettel at Aston Martin

[@blackyellow2942]

I still feel pain bcause of number one 😢

[@ReaperThugX]

In another universe, Schumacher has 12 titles and never went skiing

[@Odysseus38]

The thing with some of these drivers is even though they left what were the odds of them performing as well as the car ended up. Like who says seb would be getting P3s all day in the aston. I feel like some of it is on the driver and not just the car

[@soundscape26]

Lewis gave Mercedes the longevity Michael would never be able to but yeah, on Michael's side it was a shame though it's very unlikely he would've been able to beat Nico.

[@doctoremil2678]

Also, maybe he would have been preoccupied with something else other than skiing...

[@soundscape26]

@@doctoremil2678 That happened in the off-season in December when drivers go on such activities... I think his fate was sealed.

[@RACECAR]

Something that people also keep forgetting is that while Lewis was driving for Mclaren, he was a Mercedes driver first. And who both powered and owned Mclaren (Both on and off track) for a while by the time Hamilton Joined the grid? Mercedes. In hindsight, Hamilton's destiny was ALWAYS with Mercedes so they naturally were always keen to get him on the works team as soon as possible.

[@TRSOF1]

You forgot Juan Pablo Montoya, he left before McLaren got a title winning car in 2007.

[@alexpeak16]

Montoya was under pressure to perform in 2006 because of Alonso signing for McLaren at the end of 2005. Five DNFs, only two podiums and being outclassed by Raikkonen didn't help along with a few sloppy mistakes, including taking out Kimi at Indy. By that time, I think he was bored of F1 and wanted to leave. He apparently signed his NASCAR deal without giving Ron Dennis any prior notice, Ron was so incensed at this he sacked Juan Pablo on the spot.

[@johncnorris]

F1 drivers should adopt my definition of the word Confidence: The feeling you get just before you know better.

[@ac-studio]

To be honest, I don't believe that Serb will be able to match Alonso's results in the Aston Martin. It appears that he lacks the same passion and is already contemplating retirement while driving for AM.

[@deweberis2709]

The worst case scenario was Damon Hill leaving Williams after his WDC title in 1996. 😵 Sir. Williams as usual wanted to pay a paltry sum of money to renew his contract, arguing that the car and the team was responsible for Hill's success. Imagine if Hill stood still in the team accumulating WDC title. Damon would earn much more money on advertising along and after his F1 career.

[@statixsc3013]

But he was right. Hill barely held it together against a team with an inferior package

[@KayJblue]

From Williams perspective they didn’t really lose out.

[@ljessecusterl]

Yeah, Jacques gave him all he could handle and if not for mechanical failures, could've taken it down to the wire to win a WDC as a rookie. While I agree that Damon deserved better, it wasn't a bad move for Williams.

[@anguruso]

This is Damon Hill's smurf account

[@themindgarage8938]

Iirc this was also a major reason Adrian Newey left Williams... and promptly joined McLaren and won the championship there.

[@guidoguido2245]

Button, however, also made one of the luckiest driver moves in F1 by not leaving Honda. He wanted to force a move to Williams which would have meant missing out on winning the WDC with Brawn.

[@The-Tall-Photographer]

Williams didn’t want Couthard. They let him go to get Jacques.

[@Rozmette]

Honestly you cant say that alonso 2018 exit from mclaren was bad timing. If he has not done that he is likely not today in Aston Martin.

[@deamonwitch19]

Seb has no regrets . period 😊

[@luuduonghy659]

Except he left and all of a sudden, Aston become strong and fast car

[@selder_7]

In Vettel’s case: getting Aston from where they are now to beating Redbull will be as big a jump as them getting from where they were last year to where they are now. He could’ve stayed another 5 years and not won a title. And even if he could’ve, it’s the Ferrari one he really wanted. Alonso and Hamilton just want one more, no matter who gives it to them - I don’t think it’s that way for Vettel

[@twanbrinkman742]

An intresting fact about Villeneuve: he raced for reneault in 2004 for 3 races. So imagine him staying there and helping my boy Alonso. He would prob fight again with Schumacher in 2006 and he will prob try to smash again into Villeneuve

[@Lukeywoodsey]

He was well past his prime by then

[@CallyWasHereOfficial]

He left a year before Aston is now a front ish runner team, but I think he doesn’t mind or care, he was ready to just be with his family

[@o2benaz]

Mike Krack of Aston Martin said the current car is partly a result Seb’s work so he’d know the potential of the car. II think he just got tired of the FIA BS (busted for motorbiking on an empty track well after the cooldown lap!!🙄

[@SarosRacing]

Is it just me, or are the first few seconds of the video (with the intro to the top 10 in it) missing? Or did they also leave at the worst time?

[@Arash14]

None of these examples were as painful as Alonso’s! He could’ve been a 9-time world champion by now!

[@snobey]

Surprised Kimi leaving McLaren isn't here. I know, Ferrari had a championship capable car too, but a years just after wwinning a title Ferrari tried to sabotage him just to hire Alonso.

[@whassupg89]

I’d love to see Vettel and alonso together in that car

[@freshdotholla]

How Daniel Riccardo moving to Renault is not on this list is beyond me.

[@TheUSDebt]

That wasn’t really because of timing though. RB was already fighting for wins when he was there

[@freshdotholla]

@@TheUSDebt makes sense, still a mistake imo

[@xtreme814]

Schumacher could have won with mercedes in 2014 despite being a vegitable. Such was the pace of that car

[@joribremer5260]

How about Keke Rosberg moving from Williams to McLaren in 1986 ? (The Mclaren was build around Prosts driving style ) whilst Keke,s was more closely to Mansells

[@bookworm9742]

Well... Coulthard in 2008 and Schumacher in 2012 dind't left voluntarily. Before Michael announced his retirement, the Mercedes already announced the arrival of Lewis.

[@Mrneko8]

I can't agree the last one. Michel was already out of peak at this time so that he wouldn't win to Nico eventually even if he continued his career.

[@Nick-qx1vf]

Button had his day in the end, and that makes me happy

[@Jinjajamie]

I think in Coulthard's case he wasn't deemed a star by Williams and they would have had Hill or Jaques as their lead driver.

[@MaxVerstappenGlazer]

It’s sad to see Michael because if he had signed on with Merc he almost certainly would have been with us rn

[@gothicm3rcy426]

its not always about winning, its about being content with a car and team.

[@snobey]

Boutsen was just robbed by the Williams. In 1990 he was 3 points behind Mansell, who had better car. And Mansell few years prior left Williams when they don't had the best car after 86 and 87. So why Mansell got his chance again? Back then british media and especially Frank Williams were favouring him and giving top tier cars.

[@cjayx]

Sebs timing isn't bad. He said he wanted to win, and realistically AM isn't winning this year. The only ones winning this year will be Red Bull. If some stroke of luck knocks out the two Red Bulls, then sure, he may eek a win out, but realistically AM will be fighting for podiums only.

[@e2rqey]

Crazy to think how different the F1 world, and Michael's life might be today if he had stayed on with Mercedes

[@McRocket]

You missed Jenson Button leaving Brawn just as it became Mercedes. Which UTTERLY dominated F1 from 2014-2020. If he had stayed? He undoubtedly would have massively increased his win totals. And probably would have won several more, world championships. ☮

[@selder_7]

With things like Schumacher (both times), Coulthard and Vettel: if they had serious enough doubts that they retired then they weren’t the right people to carry the team forward through the good period that followed. Retiring from Mercedes in 2013 wouldn’t be the same kind of blunder as moving from Mercedes to McLaren in 2014 for example

[@HAWGGY85]

In some cases they not left, but were forced to left or fired. So it is not about drivers' bad decisions, but circumstances in general.

[@john.doe_0007]

Button's biggest miss was him turning down Mercedes' offer in 2010. And for Michael, I think he did his job he was supposed to do. He helped them develop that car and stayed long enough to see them win a race. It was job done for him then. Also getting beaten by Rosberg thrice also meant that he wasn't the driver he once was

[@WolfJustWolf]

Rosberg also beat Hamilton when he was at Mercedes. Rosberg is way better than people give him credit for.

[@john.doe_0007]

@@WolfJustWolf Nico Rosberg is hands down the most underrated f1 driver at least post 2000 He is one of my all time favourites and I also respect the way he left the sport I didn't take anything from him, all I said was Michael wasn't the same when he made that return

[@alexpeak16]

Button was smart to leave though; so little development had gone into the 2010 car and Mercedes didn't seem committed to fund the team, preferring to find sponsors (which they did) but Ross Brawn said he knew 2010 would be a difficult year for the team. Also, McLaren needed to replace Kovalainen so when Jenson made himself available, he moved to Woking.

[@john.doe_0007]

@@alexpeak16 smart to leave for 3 years If he had stayed with them he would've gotten a race winning car by 2013 and possibly would've added more to his championship tally in the hybrid era Most likely he'd still be racing and his actual career path would've happened with Lewis

[@alexpeak16]

@@john.doe_0007 Maybe for competitiveness but after he lost his dad at the start of 2014, he admitted racing just wasn't the same anymore and he was treading water. Lack of motivation can translate to worse on track results.

[@ags8315]

Can't imagine where SCHUMACHER could have reached if he had not retired in 2006...instead stayed on till 2008...and secondly not leaving Mercedes to finally retire.....

[@dustenatlas8294]

Not related to the video but does anyone know how valid the Aston-Honda rumors are?

[@birandkoray]

dislike, because some of drivers in the list did not leave, they were not preferred or they were fired. Like Button, Boutsen, Trulli, Watson, Schumacher

[@adrianzanoli]

8:47 I doubt since he suffered almost fatal injuries in late 2013

[@ramoncf7]

I don't think Fernando regrets leaving Ferrari and later McLaren because in both cases neither of them were championship winning cars, but he certainly must regret not joining Red Bull or Mercedes before they became multiple championship winning teams.

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

Vettel’s departure still hurts man, my favorite driver finally at my long time team of 15 years, and we were battling Q1 every week...

[@purwantiallan5089]

What a shame. Vettel's withdrawal from F1 whilst Aston Martin F1 already picked up tons of great results should've been number 1.

[@DarthSparhawk]

I think at the time Seb drove for Aston, he was well behind Fernando pacewise and probably behind Checo as well.

[@luuduonghy659]

At least he might get some decent results

[@michaelmilitello5644]

I doubt Vettel has any regrets. He’s a 4 time champion and clearly had other important motivations.

[@Nefus1988]

Schumacher wouldn´t be around for 2014 because of the ski accident

[@dongquach4623]

Imagine if schumi carried on in 2013 & i don't think he would of have had his skiiing accident.

[@faustinaadu2284]

Rubens Barrichello 2011 and last season in F1 with Williams was very mediocre but the 2012 Williams FW34 was very quick and Maldonado got a win that season.

[@popmuffin101]

What about Daniel Ricardo leaving RB due to fears of the Honda engine?

[@gringo0632]

Vettel doesn't regret his decision, he clearly said his family is more important than racing, even if the car is championship contender, he doesn't have the hunger anymore like ferrari days.

[@dylanlange5521]

“Ferrari signed Vettel as his replacement, while Fernando was still under contract” You mean the same thing they did to Kimi for him in 2010 for that Santander money

[@BritishRosie-es3zr]

Martin Brundle had the opposite knack - joining teams just at the point they became terrible (with the exception of Benetton)

[@tng2057]

Can’t believe you missed out Chris Amon. THE greatest wrong move from Ferrari to others in 70.

[@RACECAR]

Is it just me or is Ferrari full of "Wrong Move, wrong time" stories just by themselves? While nowhere as mysterious as them winning a race every time someone invades the track (Seriously, look them up), they seem to more often then not have those kinds of deals the most.

[@dongquach4623]

we forget to mentioned barrichello? Williams won a race in 2012?

[@nitrovj]

Not surprised Watson is so high up on the list. Retrospectively, Schumacher should be number 1, but considering he "died" in 2013, he would not have raced in the turbo hybrid era.

[@anncase8673]

I feel like Riccardo regrets leaving Red Bull at the end of 2018 as he did nothing but move around teams that didn't live up to pre season hype and Red Bull have won back to back championships in 2021 and 22

[@ultramariogod]

Choosing the right team is exactly like investing, you buy when there's an offer and you see a potential win, you can't accurately predict the results, when it dips you can get scared and want to cash out but it's a gamble because there may an unexpected boom in profits and you missed the opportunity

[@gpaje]

No Ricciardo leaving Red Bull on the eve of their resurgence, to join Renault and McLaren?

[@ronik24]

I don't think Seb regrets to have retired.

[@spiffytuber7515]

That is assuming Schumacher doesn’t have that accident in 2013, who knows maybe him not retiring would have saved him

[@dongquach4623]

what if went to sauber in 2013? or stayed Mercs

[@xAdrian_44]

The sad part is that Michal Schumacher doesn't think he knows that Mercedes dominated for 8 years!