Martin Brundle names Formula 1's under-achievers

Formula 1

Which current driver does Martin Brundle think under-achieved

Hulkenberg, Buemi and Vergne on the list

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 24 March 2020 14:54 Updated: 18:03

Martin Brundle has named a clutch of drivers he feels under-achieved during their Formula 1 careers.

The 158-grand prix veteran believes the likes of Ivan Capelli, JJ Lehto, Tonio Liuzzi and Nico Hulkenberg, along with Toro Rosso duo Sebastien Buemi and Jean-Eric Vergne, should all have done better than the numbers from their time in F1 portray.

Asked for his opinion on the most under-rated driver in F1, Brundle said: "That's a tough one in terms of under-rated drivers.

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MB: That's a tough one in terms of underrated drivers. But in regards to drivers who I thought had the talent to go further than they did in F1, I'd say people like Ivan Capelli, JJ Lehto, Nico Hulkenberg and Tonio Liuzzi.

Then there's also Sebastien Buemi and Jean-Eric Vergne. https://t.co/tODLarXogX
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 23, 2020

"But in regards to drivers who I thought had the talent to go further than they did in F1, I'd say people like Ivan Capelli, JJ Lehto, Nico Hulkenberg and Tonio Liuzzi.

"Then there's also Sebastian Buemi and Jean-Eric Vergne."

Italian Capelli made 93 starts across eight seasons from 1985-1993, but endured a horrific 64 retirements during his time with the likes of Tyrrell, March, Leyton House, Ferrari and Jordan.

Finnish driver Lehto competed in 62 grands prix, driving for Onyx, Scuderia Italia, Sauber and Benetton from 1989-1994, but managed just 10 points overall during that period, that included a third in the 1991 San Marino Grand Prix.

Liuzzi, meanwhile, drove for Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Force India and HRT during his six seasons in F1 that incorporated 80 grands prix, but with a best finish of only sixth.

Hulkenberg holds the F1 record for the most number of races without finishing on the podium, that stands at 177, spanning nine seasons and culminating with his departure from the sport at the end of last season.

As for Buemi and Vergne, both spent three seasons with Toro Rosso, and both found their paths blocked to promotion to Red Bull via the Sebastian Vettel/Mark Webber partnership. When Webber departed, Daniel Ricciardo was preferred to Vergne.

Buemi and Vergne have since found homes in the World Endurance Championship and Formula E respectively, becoming double world champions in their disciplines.