In Formula racing, the chances of rising from the bottom of the pack to the top were low but definitely not impossible.
Factors like track structure, track length, and the number of laps contributed to making it possible for any driver who happened to drop down the leaderboard, or any driver who started at the bottom, to rise to the top positions.
Whereas factors like the same track structure, but now coupled with weather conditions and competitive aura, played a major role in making that drop permanent, slimming the chances of any driver in P12 and below from making it to a point-worthy position.
It wasn't uncommon for a driver to face a predicament that relegated him to the bottom. It happened all the time, as any little thing on track could take away seconds—seconds from crossing the checkered flag first or being among the top five to do so.
