What Is In A Name? Family Ties in Formula One

Usually synonymous with a name is providence, prosperity and inheritance.  But not all heritage is something to take for granted.  Over the years there have been many families in Formula One.  Most have been split by a generation but sometimes we see brothers racing brothers.  I would like to take a look at the past and present drivers with a name that has an certain title to maintain. 

First and foremost is the infamous Schumacher brothers.  Who knew that siblings so close in age could be so different.  Both native Germans. Same values, same German characteristics and yet one brother is statistically the best driver in Formula One history and the other brother is considered the best 'Sunday Afternoon' driver in Formula One history. Michael, so far unchallenged, holds the records for the most poles, wins and driver's championships and Ralf holds the record for best 'over shadowed' and mid-pack driver.

The one thing that the two brothers do up hold on the same level is their exciting crashes within the races. On second thought, with Ralf's crash in the 2004 the United States Grand Prix, Ralf may have the edge on this one. 

Another, even more famous name in Formula One is the Villeneuve family.  When the name is said, most people think for just Gilles and Jacques but there was a third Villeneuve as well.  Jacques Villeneuve Sr. Jacques Sr, in the paddock for only two seasons, three races started and three races that he did not qualify for.  Jacques Sr, brother to Gilles, who is considered one of the best Formula One drivers in it's history, started and ended his indomitable career behind the wheel.  We never got to see Gilles full potential.  He could have won the driver's title, he could have raced for years to come but on one tragic morning in Belgium, it was cut short.

This brings us to the Jacques Villeneuve Jr.  To some, another fantastic Canadian driver making his way on the Formula One Circuit.  His story was one more of sadness and sorrow.  Jacques Jr inherited a providence with his name, one that could never been shaken.  Even to this day.  With Jacques Jr, we have learnt just how much distinction a name gave.  Jacques Jr was a good driver with the weight of the world on his shoulders.  From the day that he stepped into the paddock in Australia in 1996 past the point in 1997 when he won the drivers title until he was forced to retire in 2006, he had to prove himself and his namesake, with or without the support of the majority of his countrymen and sometimes his own team.

Tragedy begets tragedy, which brings us to, uncompromisablely, the most well known name in Formula One history ever.  Senna.  When you hear that name, there are a few things that come to mind.  A man who's will to win was unlike anything the paddock had ever seen before.  You may also think about a man who would stop in the middle of the track to get out of his car to help a fellow driver in his time of need. Like in a warm up session of the 1992 Belgium Grand Prix. Eric Comas, french driver from Ligier Team, crashed. Senna stopped his car and ran to help Eric, who, at the time was engulfed in flames.  Most people think about the tragedy day in 1994 in Imola, where Senna himself succumbed to the sport he loved so much.

These days, with the next generation of Formula One fans, where you say the name Senna, the think of a driver who doesn't know if he will have a seat in the next race.  A young man who is constantly compared to his uncle as well as constantly asked about him too. I can only guess that with the entry into the Formula One paddock, Bruno was aware of these charges and was well prepared.  Bruno is just another young driver who is trying to prove himself worthy of his name sake when he should be really proving himself worthy of his driving ability.

Other family ties within the sport:

Brothers
Jody and Ian Scheckter
Bobby and Jerry Unser
Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi
Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez
Corrado and Teo Fabi
Gary and David Brabham
Jimmy and Jackie Stewart
Ernesto and Vittorio Brambilla

Father-son
Graham and Damon Hill
Nelson Piquet and Nelson Piquet Jr.
Jack and Gary and David Brabham
Antonio and Alberto Ascari
Keke and Nico Rosberg
Michael and Marco Andretti
Satoru and Kazuki Nakajima
Hans and Hans-Joachim Stuck
Wilson and Christian Fittipaldi