5 best performances by Formula One debutants

Giancarlo Baghetti

1961 debutant Baghetti won his F1 debut race

Although not now a ‘known’ name in the world of Formula One, former Ferrari driver Baghetti is one of only three drivers in the history of motorsport to win their first world championship race.

He made his Formula One debut in 1961 with Ferrari, and with a less-than-ideal qualifying session, the Italian started the French Grand Prix of 1961 in 12th Neither driver nor fans likely fancied Baghetti’s chances, but he raced flat out until the very end of the race, and would eventually seal his race win in the final 100m of the race after pushing against Porsche's Dan Gurney.

It was Baghetti’s only win in Formula One.