Motorsport and gambling have always gone side by side. In fact, racing is always a lottery. The result depends not only on the talent of the pilot and the level of preparation of the team. No one is immune to mishaps, technical breakdowns and accidental crashes.
Among the Formula 1 drivers there are many fans of gambling. Today Australian online pokies are ready to open their doors for them too. In the 80’s, to blow off steam after a race weekend, the racer had to overcome not one hundred kilometers to the nearest gambling hall, but today you can play slot machines or roulette online.
It is not known who of the inhabitants of the paddock has a weakness for gambling. However, some of the racers have not once been seen in the elite casinos. Interestingly, thanks largely to luck, these heroes of Formula 1 got their chance to make motorsport history.
Eddie Irvine
The Irishman could end his career early with a high probability. Disqualification for three races does not go in favor of the rookie. However, natural talent and luck helped the then pilot of Jordan Grand Prix to make a name for himself.
Eddie Irvine caught his real jackpot when he moved to Ferrari. Yes, in 1996 Scuderia did not even claim the championship title, but it helped the Irishman to get world fame.
Eddie never left the front pages of the tabloids. The reason for this was regular parties, trips to casinos, bars and restaurants. Irvine became a playboy of Formula 1 instantly.
Alas, but sooner or later, Mrs Fortune turns her back. It happened to Irvine, when in 1999 he unexpectedly became the leader of the Italian team. A series of failures did not allow the driver to keep his chances of fighting in the championship.
James Hunt
Perhaps all motorsport historians agree that there was no more epathetic driver than James Hunt. The Brit was not shy of leading a hooligan lifestyle. Hunt constantly disappeared in the campaign with sexy beauties, did not hesitate to openly smoke and abuse alcohol. Gambling also did not bypass the Englishman.
James gained worldwide popularity thanks to his licentious lifestyle. The championship title in 1976 added to Hunt’s reputation and made him a mega star.
However, after a meteoric rise to the top, James never managed to repeat his success. There was only one reason for this. Alcohol addiction ruined his motivation and talent and dealt a fatal blow to his health.
Mark Webber
In general, Mark was hardly a frequent visitor to the casino. But that jackpot, which he managed to snap in the debut race in Formula 1, has no analogues. It predetermined his entire career and made him one of the most successful and recognisable drivers from Australia.
Webber made his debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix with Minardi. The weakest team of the championship barely passed qualifying, not to mention the serious results of the race. Mark managed to bring his car from the first attempt to the 5th place and earn two points.
Of course, many will say that not many cars finished that race. But the Australian driver managed to hold off the onslaught of stronger rivals and prove that he deserves a place in Formula 1.
Racing around casinos
Not all Grand Prix races take place on fixed racetracks. The history of Formula 1 knows several cases when the fastest cars were literally at the doors of gambling clubs.
Firstly, the Monaco Grand Prix. Probably, in the walls of the local casino has been every motorsport fan with a fat purse. There was also a lot of wishful thinking among the drivers.
Secondly, we should not forget about Las Vegas. Races around gambling were held back in the 80s, and the modern Grand Prix of this city in luxury and costliness has no analogues.
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