The ten races in history, without a single retirement

The French Grand Prix will have been intense, spectacular and it will have seen the victory of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in front Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull). But the Paul Ricard circuit was also historic for another reason. This is the tenth Grand Prix in the history of the F1 where the 20 drivers saw the finish, the sixth of the hybrid era. A little flashback.

1 – 1961 Dutch Grand Prix

Second race of the 1961 season, the Dutch Grand Prix saw Ferrari achieve a double on the Zandvoort circuit. Wolfgang von Trips won his first Grand Prix in F1 ahead of Phil Hill (Ferrari) and Jim Clark (Lotus). This was the 31st victory of the Team in the premier category. It is the first race in history to have no retirements.

2 – 2005 United States Grand Prix

Very controversial, the USA Grand Prix saw 6 cars at the start and 6 cars at the finish. The Michelin drivers who refused to take part in the race following Ralf's accident Schumacher the day before, only drivers wearing Bridgeston tires took part in this mock Grand Prix. Once again we saw a Ferrari double. Michael Schumacher won his only race of 2005 ahead of Rubens Barrichello and Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro.

3 – 2005 Italian Grand Prix

Still in the 2005 season but much less controversial, the Italian Grand Prix will see all 20 drivers finish. Note the arrival in the points of Antonio Pizzonia who replaced Nick Heidfeld, ill on BMW.

4 – 2011 European Grand Prix

We will have to wait until 2011 and the European Grand Prix to see a new race without retirement. In 2011, the European Grand Prix took place at the Valencia circuit in Spain. An uninteresting race Sebastian Vettel won in front Fernando Alonso and Marc Webber.

5 – 2015 Japanese Grand Prix

4 years later at the Japanese Grand Prix, no retirement has been reported. A race without big action. Note that Felipe Nasr did not finish the race but is not considered a retirement. The Brazilian driver having completed more than 90% of the race.

6 – 2016 Chinese Grand Prix

Despite the clash between Vettel, Raïkkönen and Kvyat at the start, no driver retired. Nico Rosberg won this Grand Prix ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Danill Kvyat, nicknamed “torpedo”.

7 – 2016 Japanese Grand Prix

After the 2015 edition, Japan will once again have seen a race without the slightest retirement in 2016. The podium: Nico Rosberg, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton.

8 – 2018 Chinese Grand Prix

A lively edition of the Chinese Grand Prix with contact between Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel at the end of the race. The race was won by Daniel Ricciardo before Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raïkkönen. 
During the race, Brendon Hartley broke his gearbox, but completed 90% of the race so he is not considered to have retired.

9 – 2019 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2019 edition will have seen the sublime duel between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. A fight which will turn to the advantage of the Dutch pilot. 
 

10 – 2021 French Grand Prix

The last Grand Prix of this 2021 season will not have seen any retirements. Another statistic from Paul Ricard, the number of overtakes, namely 52, which is around the high average for this season.