Norris first Briton to win since 2022: What's the longest wait between British wins in F1

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Norris wins after Russell What's the longest wait between British wins F1
7 May at 19:30

For the first time since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, a British driver was able to stand on the top step of the podium at the Miami Grand Prix thanks to Lando Norris. The Britons had to wait 539 days to hear their anthem again in F1. It may seem long, it does not make the Top 3 list of all-time longest periods without a British victory. GPBlog lists you the biggest droughts between a British driver winning a race in F1.

It may seem unimagible after Lewis Hamilton's era of winning a race every year from 2007 until 2021, but the 539 days that have passed between Russell's and Norris' first victories in Formula One. However, it is nowhere near the longest droughts, let alone making the podium on this list.

Mike Hawthorne was the first Briton to win a race at the 1953 French Grand Prix, as the country was left empty-handed in the first three F1 season.

Number 1: 1364 days

From the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix until the 1981 British Grand Prix

After being crowned champion in 1976, James Hunt was unable to defend his title against Niki Lauda and Ferrari in 1977. During the final race of that season, the McLaren driver won for the final time in his career a year after he claimed his only world championship at the same circuit. Then the fans had to wait until their home Grand Prix in 1981 to see another British driver win. John Watson himself had his own drought, as he won his first race back in 1976, but he failed to replicate that result until 1981. The viewers at the track had time to process Watson's victory, as Carlos Reutemann crossed the finish line more than 40 seconds after the McLaren driver.

Number 2: 1246 days

From the 2003 Australian Grand Prix until the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix

The 2003 season began as every McLaren fan wanted it to do so. In Melbourne, David Coulthard finished the race in P1, and Kimi Räikkönen finished third starting from the pit lane. That race eventually turned out to be Coulthard's final victory in Formula One. Later, Coulthard signed for the newly created Red Bull team, there were no Britons competing for a top team until Lewis Hamilton arrived at McLaren in 2007.

But in 2006, Jenson Button's moment has finally arrived. Similarly to Norris, at the time, the 2009 world champion was also doubted whether he would be able to win a Grand Prix at all. From P14 on the grid, he mastered the Hungaroring in his Honda, and managed to cross the line in first place for the first time in his career in his 113th race.

Number 3: 924 days

From the 1983 United States West Grand Prix until the 1985 European Grand Prix

While John Watson ended a drought himself, he also began one after he won the 1983 United States West Grand Prix at Long Beach. That was Watson's final victory in the competition, but he was able to finish on the podiums two times after that.

Then in 1985, another at the time future world champion, Nigel Mansell broke the stint at Brands Hatch. In his first season at Williams paired up with Keke Rosberg, after finishing a race earlier in second place at Spa-Francorchamps, Mansell won his first Grand Prix ahead of Ayrton Senna's Lotus. Mansell did not make the fans wait long after his victory: two weeks later, he also finished in P1 in South Africa.