De Vries, Tsunoda, Sainz… The last 10 drivers to score points on their debut

After Nyck de Vries' 9th place in Italy last Sunday, we look back at the last 10 drivers to score points on their F1 debut.

Published on 18/09/2022 à 18:05

Gonzalo Forbes

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De Vries, Tsunoda, Sainz… The last 10 drivers to score points on their debut

In Italy, Nyck de Vries crossed the finish line in 9th position for his debut. ©DPPI

Nyck de Vries – 9e at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Gooden

Champion of F2 in 2019, Nyck de Vries had to wait 3 years to debut in Formula 1. Called at short notice to compensate for Alex's loss Albon in Williams, the Dutchman outclassed his teammate Nicholas latifi in qualifying before finishing the Italian Grand Prix in 9e place and pocket 2 points. A performance which should allow him to be established in 2023.

Guanyu Zhou – 10e of the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix

© DPPI/X. Bonilla

He did not need to be crowned in F2 in 2021 where he finished 3e to be promoted. New face of the duo Alfa Romeo as Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu-Zhou was not impressed by his arrival in the deep end. Although 15e qualifying, the Chinese produced a good first copy punctuated by the point of 10e instead.

Yuki Tsunoda – 9e of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Gooden

From the winter tests, Yuki tsunoda showed that he has good top speed by setting the best time in the tests in Bahrain. A week later on the same track, the pilot Alpha Tauri came up from the 13e the 9e position leaving the Middle East with two units.

Stoffel Vandoorne – 10e of the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Le Floc’h

Before obtaining a tenured position at McLaren In 2017, Stoffel Vandoorne had the opportunity to compete in a Grand Prix. It was in 2016 with Bahrain, already with the Woking team. Fernando Alonso package after his terrible accident in Australia two weeks earlier, the Belgian played firefighter on duty to replace the Spaniard. Despite an underperforming MP4-31 and still suffering with the Honda engine, the 2015 GP2 champion had a great race with the last point at stake, one lap behind winner Nico Rosberg.

Felipe Nasr – 5e of the 2015 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/E. Vargiolu

This one no one saw coming. Promoted to Sauber, the Brazilian had a thunderous debut at Albert Park in Melbourne. On the track, Felipe Nasr went for an unexpected 5e position on the line and above all 10 precious points for his first appearance in F1. In the Antipodes, he was also the last driver on the track to take the checkerboard on the same lap as leader Nico Rosberg.

Carlos Sainz – 9e of the 2015 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Le Floc’h

Like Felipe Nasr, Carlos Sainz also made a good debut in the premier category. Certainly a little less impressive than that of Auriverde, the Spaniard's result allowed him to cross the finish line at 9e position while his teammate Max Verstappen, also a rookie, was forced to retire after an engine problem.

Kevin Magnussen – 2e of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Flemish

What can we say about the beginnings of Kevin Magnussen in F1? A lot no doubt! Announced as the next nugget from McLaren, the Dane made a strong impression for his first Grand Prix. As Formula 1's hybrid era kicked off this weekend, it began with the 4e qualifying time before taking advantage of the abandonment of Lewis Hamilton (engine) and the disqualification of Daniel Ricciardo (exceeded flow rate of 100kg per hour authorized) to afford the 2e place and therefore his first and only career podium so far.

Daniel Kvyat – 9e of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/F. Flemish

Less noisy than Kevin Magnussen's podium, Daniil Kvyat also managed to grab a Top 10 in Australia on the same day. Powered by the engine block Renault, the Russian's Toro Rosso allowed him to reach the finish in 9e position.

Paul di Resta – 10e of the 2011 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/E. Vargiolu

If his career in F1 was not sparkling, the Scotsman still made a success of his debut. Succeeding Vitantonio Liuzzi at Force India, Paul di Resta got off to a good start by taking the point of 10e place, still in Australia, where Formula 1 used to launch its campaigns in the past.

Sébastien Buemi – 7e of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix

©DPPI/JM. The Meur

While Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello made the Brawn GP shine with a double on their debut, Sébastien Buemi was making his way a little further back in the peloton. Much less competitive, Toro Rosso's STR4 still allowed it to leave with 2 points from 7e place. And yes because at the time, it was still the old scale with 10 units for the winner and only the first 8 registered.

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Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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