Nikita Mazepin and the Worst Pay Drivers In F1 History

Haas F1's Russian driver Nikita Mazepin gives a press conference in Monaco, on May 19, 2021, ahead of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Sebastien Nogier / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN NOGIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Haas F1's Russian driver Nikita Mazepin gives a press conference in Monaco, on May 19, 2021, ahead of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Sebastien Nogier / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN NOGIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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NURBURGRING – JUNE 22: Alex Yoong of Malaysia and Minardi takes to the grass during second practice for the Formula One European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Germany on June 22, 2002. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
NURBURGRING – JUNE 22: Alex Yoong of Malaysia and Minardi takes to the grass during second practice for the Formula One European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Germany on June 22, 2002. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Alex Yoong (2001-2002)

Yoong was the first Malaysian driver in F1 and received backing from the Magnum Corporation, a Malaysian-backed gaming company. His foray into F1 was marketing tool for Malaysian motorsports that did not garner great results.

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“…the whole Formula 1 thing was a lovely idea. But I think you can see it as a failed experiment. I mean, for putting Malaysia on the map, undoubtedly. As a marketing exercise, undoubtedly, fantastic. For building a motorsports business, I would say very negative.” – Yoong in a August, 2020 interview. 

In 14 career starts for Minardi he never scored a Drivers’ Championship point and his average race finish was 15th.