F1’s Greatest Driver Comebacks

By Faisal Agha

With only a handful of seats available at the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 often forces even its top drivers into unexpected sabbaticals. In a sport where change is relentless and time away is usually seen as a career death sentence, doubts inevitably arise over whether returning drivers still possess the skill and sharpness to compete at the highest level. Yet, some have shattered those assumptions, proving that years away from the grid did nothing to dull their mastery behind the wheel.

Alain Prost
Arguably one of the greatest comebacks the sport has ever seen, Alain Prost returned to Formula 1 for just a single season, but made it count in unforgettable fashion. “The Professor” used his one-year return to clinch a record fourth World Drivers’ Championship.

After a glittering 12-year career that brought him three world titles and a reputation as one of the smartest and fastest drivers on the grid, Prost found himself without a seat in 1992. His move from McLaren to Ferrari in 1990 was supposed to be a fairytale, but the reality was far from it. Two difficult seasons with the Scuderia turned sour, and Prost was eventually fired after publicly criticising the car.

Sitting out the 1992 season, Prost watched Williams dominate the grid and negotiated a deal for 1993. Replacing reigning world champion Nigel Mansell, Prost returned in stunning fashion, winning seven of the 16 races and sealing his fourth title before walking away from the sport for good.

Niki Lauda

Niki Lauda’s heroic return just weeks after his terrifying Nürburgring crash in 1976 is legendary, but his second comeback often goes under the radar. And yet, it led to his third world championship.

Despite winning the 1977 title, relations between Lauda and Ferrari had deteriorated, prompting a move to Brabham. After two seasons there, Lauda shockingly retired from Formula 1 in 1979. Three years later, he returned with McLaren on a then-unprecedented $3 million salary.

Lauda wasted no time proving he still had it, winning just his third race back at the 1982 Long Beach Grand Prix. The defining moment of his comeback came in 1984, when he edged out teammate Alain Prost by just half a point to claim his third championship, cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats before retiring after the 1985 season.

Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica’s comeback may not be defined by titles or race wins, but it is among the most inspirational journeys Formula 1 has ever witnessed.

Making his debut in 2006, Kubica steadily built a reputation as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, a reputation sealed by his famous victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. Just as his career was gathering momentum, tragedy struck in 2011 when a rally crash left him with life-altering injuries and cost him his Formula 1 seat.

Against the odds, Kubica fought his way back into motorsport through rallying and endurance racing before completing the unthinkable: a return to Formula 1 in 2019 with Williams. In a difficult season for the team, Kubica still managed to score their only point at the German Grand Prix—an emotional and symbolic achievement in an extraordinary comeback story.
Fernando Alonso
The two-time world champion walked away from Formula 1 in 2018 after frustrating years in the midfield with McLaren. But Fernando Alonso was far from done racing.

During his time away, Alonso explored new challenges, competing in IndyCar and dominating the World Endurance Championship. His success with Toyota was remarkable, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and claiming the 2018–19 WEC Drivers’ Championship.

Still hungry, Alonso returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with Alpine and secured his first podium in seven years at the Qatar Grand Prix. His bold move to Aston Martin for the 2023 season paid off handsomely, as the Spaniard enjoyed a resurgence, collecting eight podiums in a stellar campaign and once again reminding the world of his brilliance.

Kimi Räikkönen
After nine seasons in Formula 1 that saw him race for McLaren and Ferrari—and win the 2007 World Championship, Kimi Räikkönen stepped away from the sport in 2010 following failed contract negotiations.
The Finn spent the next two years exploring new territory in rallying and NASCAR before returning to Formula 1 with Team Lotus in 2012. Räikkönen made an immediate impact finishing third in the Driver’s Standings, with one victory and six other podium finishes. Another successful year in 2013 saw him earn a seat at Ferrari for 2014.
The Finn spent five years with the Scuderia, and the highlight of that second stint came at the 2018 United States Grand Prix, where Räikkönen claimed a long-awaited victory. He then returned to Alfa Romeo (earlier Sauber), the team that gave him his F1 debut, before finally retiring at the end of the 2021 season, quietly bowing out as one of the sport’s most iconic characters.