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🏎️ Data Analytics Project: Exploring Argentine Drivers in Formula 1 & Franco Colapinto’s Debut Season

  • Writer: Matias Rossi
    Matias Rossi
  • Feb 28
  • 3 min read

📢 Introduction

Formula 1 has long been a source of national pride for Argentina, especially with legends like Juan Manuel Fangio. However, for over 15 years, Argentina didn’t have a representative on the F1 grid—until Franco Colapinto’s debut in 2024. As an Argentine and F1 fan, this inspired me to explore the history and performance of Argentine drivers in F1.


I chose this dataset because it contains extensive relational data spanning from 1950 to 2024, offering the perfect opportunity to apply and showcase my SQL skills—especially in using JOINS, Common Table Expressions (CTEs), subqueries, and window functions. The dataset’s complexity allowed me to practice real-world data querying, while the visualizations in Tableau Public provided a clear way to communicate my findings.


🛠️ Tools & Technologies Used

  • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): Data extraction, cleaning, and complex queries using JOINS, CTEs, and subqueries.


🤓 So far, really comfortable with SQL Server...
🤓 So far, really comfortable with SQL Server...

  • Tableau Public: For interactive dashboards and data storytelling.

  • GitHub: To share my code and methodology with recruiters and peers.

  • Microsoft Excel: Minor data cleaning and CSV conversions for Tableau compatibility.


🔗 GitHub Repository: View Full Code on GitHub

🔗 Tableau Dashboard: Explore Visualizations


📊 Project Overview & Methodology

✅ Why This Project?

  • Personal Motivation: Franco Colapinto’s entry into F1 reignited national pride and personally inspired me to analyze Argentina’s F1 history.

  • Professional Growth: Working with a relational database featuring over eight interconnected tables challenged my data modeling and querying skills.

  • Real-World Application: Handling complex data, cleaning inconsistencies, and producing recruiter-friendly visualizations.


📝 Project Steps

Step 1: Data Exploration & Understanding

  • Explored tables like drivers, results, races, constructors, and circuits.

  • Identified key relational columns (e.g., driverId, raceId, constructorId) to establish meaningful connections.


Step 2: Data Cleaning & SQL Queries

✅ Removed null values and standardized date formats.✅ Used JOINS to merge data across multiple tables.✅ Implemented CTEs for cleaner and more readable queries.✅ Applied subqueries to handle complex filtering (e.g., calculating champions without direct data points).

🔍 Example SQL Query (Using a CTE and JOIN):




Step 3: Data Visualization in Tableau

Since Tableau Public doesn’t support direct SQL Server connections, I:✅ Exported cleaned data from SQL to CSV files.✅ Imported the original dataset into Tableau to replicate findings and show adaptability.✅ Used relationships in Tableau to connect multiple tables for dynamic visualizations.✅ Created calculated fields to enhance data storytelling (e.g., "Podiums Per Season").


📊 Key Visualizations:

  • Line Chart: Points progression for Argentine drivers.

  • Bar Chart: Career podiums and wins.

  • Scatter Plot: Qualifying vs. finishing positions.

  • Heatmap: Constructors' performances with Argentine drivers.



🔍 📊 Key Findings from the Analysis

🏁 General F1 Insights

  • Total F1 Seasons: 75 (1950–2024).

  • Season with the Most Races: 2024 (24 races).

  • Most Frequent F1 Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale Monza (most races hosted).

  • Which circuits have hosted the most races?: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza, Italy Circuit de Monaco, Monte-Carlo, Monaco Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, UK Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Spa , Belgium Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada.

  • Most Successful Constructor (by Championships): Ferrari.

  • Drivers with most wins: 125 Hamilton 121 Schumacher 79 Prost 78 Verstappen 63 Vettel


🇦🇷 Argentine & Franco Colapinto Insights

  • Number of Argentine Drivers in F1 History: 25.

  • Total Number of Argentine Grand Prix Held: 20. Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez

  • Most Successful Argentine Driver: Juan Manuel Fangio (5 World Championships).

  • Best Constructor with Argentine Drivers: Ferrari (most points scored with Argentine drivers).

  • Total Races Competed by Argentine Drivers: 373.

  • Podium Finishes by Argentine Drivers: 98.

  • Franco Colapinto’s Total Points in 2024: 5.

  • Best Race Finish for Franco Colapinto in 2024: Round 17, 8 points.

These insights help provide a clearer view of Argentina’s history in Formula 1 and Franco Colapinto’s early career performance.


🚧 Challenges & Learnings

✅ Handling Missing Relationships: Some tables lacked direct keys; I used CTEs and subqueries to bridge gaps.✅ Large Dataset Management: Optimized queries for faster performance.✅ Transition to Tableau: Learned to restructure data for better visualization when direct connections weren’t possible.


🚀 Conclusion & Next Steps

✅ Successfully combined SQL data processing with Tableau visual storytelling.✅ Demonstrated the ability to extract actionable insights from complex data.✅ Balanced technical depth with user-friendly visuals for a broader audience.

🔜 Future Plans:

  • Predictive modeling for future Argentine driver performances.

  • Comparative analysis with other South American drivers.


📥 Access the Full Project

🔗 Tableau Public: Link to come soon!

💬 Feedback is welcome! Connect with me on GitHub or LinkedIn.


🌟 Final Thoughts

"Analyzing Argentina’s presence in Formula 1 was both a technical challenge and a personal journey. With Franco Colapinto making waves in 2024, this project captures a historic moment through data while helped me develop my skills on SQL, such an important tool for analysis in the real word."

✅ Explore the dashboard, dive into the code, and enjoy the data-driven ride! 🏎️📊


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