All the American Drivers That Have Raced in Formula 1
Eddie Cheever at the 1988 Brazilian Grand Prix.Photo: Simon Bruty/Allsport (Getty Images)
Years Active: 1978, 1980-1989
Teams: Theodore Racing, Hesketh, Oselia Squadra Corse, Team Tyrrell, Equipe Talbot Gitanes (Ligier), Equipe Renault Elf, Benetton Team Alfa Romeo, Haas Lola, USF&G Arrows
Entries: 143
Starts: 132
Podiums: 9
Wins: 0
Eddie Cheever’s three-decade racing career consisted of a significant stint in Formula 1 after working his way up through the ranks of the European Karting Championships. He didn’t qualify for his first two F1 races, finally getting his first start in South America in 1978. It took until 1981, when he joined up with Tyrrell, before Cheever was really able to find any success, and he finished in the points five times that year.
The following two years, though, were Cheever’s best. He joined with Equipe Talbot Gitanes, a Ligier team, and scored three podiums, one each in Belgium, Detroit, and Caesars Palace. In 1983, Cheever moved to Equipe Renault Elf, getting four further podiums, one each in France, Belgium, Canada, and Italy.
He ultimately retired from F1 after the 1989 season, moving over to CART in America instead.
