Since the current qualifying system was introduced in 2006, there have been only seven drivers who reached Q3 on debut. We take a look at the times that it has happened, and the other drivers who have qualified in the top ten on their maiden Grand Prix appearance.
Robert Kubica, 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix
Robert Kubica made his first Formula 1 appearance at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, replacing Jacques Villeneuve at BMW Sauber. After setting the fourth fastest time in Q1, Kubica reached Q3 with the tenth fastest time in the second part of qualifying. He went on to qualify in tenth and lined up ninth on the grid due to a grid penalty for eventual race winner Jenson Button.
Kubica became the first driver to line up in the top ten on their first Grand Prix appearance since Felipe Massa at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix – though the Brazilian’s first race would come to an end at the first turn. Things went better for Kubica in his first race, but the Pole was still unlucky. He finished seventh, picking up points on his debut – only to be disqualified after the race for his car being too light.
Lewis Hamilton, 2007 Australian Grand Prix
It’s no surprise that the most successful driver in F1 history reached Q3 on his debut appearance. At the 2007 Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton easily progressed to the final stage of qualifying with McLaren. After setting the second fastest time in Q1, Hamilton eventually qualified in fourth place, around seven tenths of a second away from pole position. He was less than three tenths slower than World Champion team-mate Fernando Alonso. Hamilton went on to finish on the podium in his maiden Grand Prix – the first driver to do so since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996.
Sebastian Vettel, 2007 United States Grand Prix
Robert Kubica missed the 2007 United States Grand Prix following a huge crash during the Canadian Grand Prix. He was replaced by Red Bull-backed youngster Sebastian Vettel. Vettel was within the seven top times in all three stages of the qualifying hour, and ultimately lined up seventh on the grid. He lost one position in the race to finish eighth, becoming Formula 1’s youngest points-scorer.
Daniil Kvyat, 2014 Australian Grand Prix
Daniil Kvyat became the second Russian driver to race in Formula 1 at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. The reigning GP3 champion impressed on his first outing, qualifying in eighth place – two positions down on team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne. The Toro Rosso driver went on to become the youngest driver to score on their Formula 1 debut, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record from seven years previously.
Kevin Magnussen, 2014 Australian Grand Prix
Kvyat wasn’t the only rookie in Q3 at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. Danish newcomer Kevin Magnussen was also in the top ten shootout. While his team-mate Jenson Button was eliminated in Q2, Magnussen set the second fastest time in Q1 and set the fourth fastest time in Q2.
Fourth would be where he qualified, and he’d go on to impress again in the race. Magnussen became the first driver to finish on the podium on his maiden F1 appearance since Hamilton in 2007. That was as good as things got in the Dane’s career – becoming one of only six drivers to record their only podium appearance on debut.
Carlos Sainz, 2015 Australian Grand Prix
Of the four drivers making their debut at this race, Sainz was the only one to reach Q3. While the hype surrounded Toro Rosso team-mate Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver was eliminated in Q2 while Sainz reached Q3. The Spaniard qualified in eighth place, but an injury saw Valtteri Bottas sit out the race, and Sainz moved up one position on the grid. Bottas’ injury also meant that Sainz’s fellow debutant Felipe Nasr would begin his first Grand Prix from inside the top ten on the grid too.
Lando Norris, 2019 Australian Grand Prix
Lando Norris is the last driver to reach Q3 on his maiden race appearance, doing so at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix. Though McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz was unluckily eliminated in Q1, Norris set the eighth fastest time in Q3. He failed to convert his top ten starting spot into a points finish, coming home in twelfth place.
Drivers who lined up in the top 10 on the grid for their first Grand Prix
Below is a list of every driver who lined up in the top ten on the grid for their first World Championship Grand Prix appearance. This list does not include drivers who lined up in the top ten on the grid for the Indianapolis 500 between 1950 and 1960, nor does it include drivers who qualified in the top ten but were later handed a grid penalty.
This article was originally published in April 2021 and has since been updated.
