'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQL/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMVgLP/EAB8QAAIBBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECBAADBREGIRIiQv/aAAgBAQABPwCZxFIl/JQsjfuxMhE8mVWRXS5r59SezScWLorGaikjejbPVf/EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AI//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAP/aAAgBAwEBPwBb/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In 1990, F1 world champion-turned-commentator James Hunt criticized former McLaren driver Andrea de Cesaris's driving style during the Imola GP, then known as San Marino. Cesaris was a backmarker who accidentally blocked off race leader Nigel Mansell.
At the 1990 F1 Imola GP, Mansell started the race from P5, while Cesaris started from P17. During the race, Mansell managed to overtake a few drivers and aimed to pass Gerhard Berger, who was leading the race. Mansell encountered backmarker traffic during his charge to the top spot including Cesaris's BMS Scuderia Italia car.
When Mansell tried to overtake Cesaris to continue his run to the leader, he was blocked by the Italian during the turn. Since Mansell's car was on the inside line, his front right tire touched with Cesaris's rear left. This caused the Brit to lose some time.
Trending
Eventually, both Nigel Mansell and Andrea de Cesaris had to retire from the race for engine and tire issues, respectively. During this race, James Hunt commentated on the race and could not help but criticize Cesaris for blocking race leaders.
"That was Cesaris doing his usual performance, taking no notice of the leaders lapping him. You can see it again, Mansell is coming inside he [Cesaris] should know he's [Mansell] there, he's leading the race and look at this idiot. It's really a disgrace that he is allowed to continue to interfere in Grand Prix racing and spoiling the race for drivers out there," Hunt said.
Cesaris only raced for McLaren for one year in 1981, where he retired the car in eight races out of 15 in total. He only scored one point in the entire season and was soon removed from the team. It is said that Ron Dennis, McLaren's former CEO was extremely annoyed with the number of times Cesaris crashed and retired from races.
Nico Hulkenberg breaks an underwhelming F1 record held by former McLaren driver Andrea de Cesaris
Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg recently broke an F1 record no F1 driver wants to break. He broke the record for most race starts in F1 without a victory, previously held by former McLaren driver Andrea de Cesaris.
Cesaris was an Italian racing driver who started in 208 F1 races but could not convert a single one into a victory. He raced for 14 years in F1, from his debut race at the 1980 F1 Canadian Grand Prix and last being the 1994 F1 European Grand Prix.
The Italian held the record for maximum race starts without a race victory for several years, recently equaled by Hulkenberg after racing the 2024 F1 Chinese GP, who broke it in Miami.
As of now, Nico Hulkenberg has 221 race starts without a victory. The German driver hopes to break the streak soon as he moves to Sauber in 2025, which will convert to Audi in 2026.
