F1: Top 5 Rookie Drivers of All-time

#2 Jacques Villeneuve, 1996

Jacques Villeneuve started his F1 career with an excellent debut season.

Villeneuve is a last name that raises the hairs on the back of Formula 1 fans' necks, as two top drivers have shared that surname in the sport. Gilles is regarded as one of the fastest drivers to ever drive in the sport and one of the best to never win the title.

His son, Jacques, did accomplish this in 1997, but not after a debut season in 1996, which saw him go so close to champion's trophy. After winning the Champ Car series (would later become Indy Car) in 1995, Villeneuve transitioned to Formula 1 and began in the Williams team, the constructor which would have the dominant car that season.

Jacques could've won in his first race, had it not been for team orders allowing Damon Hill through and the Canadian later fading due to an oil leak. He'd get his first win at the Nurburgring in his fourth race and go onto win three more before the season's end.

By the final round in Japan, Villeneuve had an outside shot on the title, starting 9 points behind Hill with 10 to play for. It wasn't Jacques' day, as one of the wheels became detached part way through the race and handing the title to Hill but had been an incredible first term in Formula 1.