5 best performances by Formula One debutants

Jacques Villeneuve

Like father, like son – Villeneuve emulated the success of father Gilles

The son of Formula One icon Gilles, Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve made his Formula One debut at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix with Williams alongside another son of a Formula One driver – Briton Damon Hill.

Villeneuve had already proved his racing credentials with single-seater series wins in the United States, and followed his father’s footsteps into Formula One that year. At only 24-years-old, Jacques Villeneuve outraced his experienced teammate – and every other driver on the board – by qualifying in pole position.

He would eventually finish in second after an oil leak late in the race marred his progress somewhat.

Between Hill and Villeneuve, Williams locked out the front row in both qualifying and race.

Hill would eventually win the championship that year, becoming the only son of a Formula One world champion to also win a championship – but a strong Villeneuve would win the title the following year.