F1 News

British national anthem for drivers sounded every year of F1 championship

If Red Bull wins every race this British record goes down the drain

6 August at 09:23
Last update 6 August at 10:48
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  • Toby McLuskie

There is a remarkable and particularly old British record series in Formula 1. And after 12 races in 2023, it is still possible that the series could come to an end after more than 70 years. At issue is the British national anthem, which has been heard at least once on the F1 podium every year since 1952.

For more than 70 years running, the British anthem has been played at least once every year in F1 due to the victory of a British team or British driver. With Austrian Red Bull Racing leading every race and Max Verstappen already winning 10 and Sergio Perez already winning two, the British anthem has not yet been played this year.

Red Bull and Ferrari can break British series

Having heard the Austrian anthem 12 times, the Dutch anthem 10 times and the Mexican anthem twice, there is not yet a major indication that any team can beat the team from Austria in the next 10 races under its own steam. Should the team do get beaten, a win by Italian Ferrari with Monaco's Charles Leclerc and Spain's Carlos Sainz would not yet keep the British record alive.

The drivers to defend 'the British title' might be Lando Norris (UK) and Oscar Piastri of British McLaren, Britain's Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who incidentally drive at German Mercedes, or possibly Fernando Alonso of British Aston Martin.