The 1992 Formula One World Championship was the last season that included none of the current Grand Prix drivers. Rubens Barrichello is todays F1 veteran and made his debut at Kyalami in 1993.
All of those familiar names who were in Formula One 16 years ago have since retired from the sports highest level.
So where are they now?
Many have remained active in motorsport. Some have moved into business, and others have assumed more outlandish activities like windsurfing and mountain climbing.
Say hello to the class of 1992.
Nigel Mansell
Owns a Country Club in Devon and takes a keen interest in the careers of his two sons, Leo and Greg. He is also President of the Institute for Advanced Motorists charity.
Last Motorsport Appearance: FIA GT Championship 2007
Ricardo Patrese
Fully retired from all racing, but has said he will return to GP Masters if it comes back. He made a very rare appearance in the paddock this year to witness Rubens Barrichello surpass his record of 256 Grand Prix starts.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Grand Prix Masters 2006
Michael Schumacher
Has kept busy since retiring in his role as Ferrari’s third driver, and is currently doing well in the amateur levels of motorcycling. His times on a Moto GP Ducati suggest that he won’t be starting a new career on two wheels.
Last Motorsport Appearance: KTM Trophy 2008
Ayrton Senna
Sadly we’ll never know what Ayrton Senna could have achieved, but he apparently told close friends that he wanted to finish his career with Ferrari before returning to Brazil where he could look after the many businesses that he ran. Senna’s own charitable foundation has grown enormously since 1994 and would still likely be his passion today.
Last Motorsport Appearance: San Marino Grand Prix 1994
Gerhard Berger
Owns half of Scuderia Toro Rosso and is looking for someone to purchase the team. He also owns a freight company.
Last Motorsport Appearance: European Grand Prix 1997
Martin Brundle
Commentates Formula One for the ITV network in Britain, although his words are broadcast to English speaking countries worldwide. He made a return to racing two weeks ago at Spa Francorchamps where he competed against his son in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship. He also manages a number of drivers, including David Coulthard, and is a published author.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Formula Palmer Audi Championship 2008
Jean Alesi
Makes appearances on Italian TV and also pops up every now and then in various racing categories, the most recent being Speedcar
Last Motorsport Appearance: Speedcar Championship 2008
Mika Hakkinen
Has retired full time from all racing, and currently acts as a ‘Responsible Drinking Ambassador’ for Johnnie Walker.
Last Motorsport Appearance: DTM Championship 2007
Andrea De Cesaris
Travels the world as a mad windsurfer, and funds this activity by working as a successful currency broker.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Grand Prix Masters 2006
Michele Alboreto
Was tragically killed in a sportscar testing crash in 2001, but would likely still be competing in sports or touring cars such was his enormous passion for racing.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Sebring 12 hours 2001
Erik Comas
Acts as a manager for several drivers, and also runs Comas Historic Racing which allows amateurs to take part in historic rally events.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Japan Super GT Championship 2006
Karl Wendlinger
Drives an Aston Martin in the FIA GT Championship, and won the recent Silverstone round.
Last Motorsport Appearance: FIA GT Championship 2008
Ivan Capelli
Is the Italian version of Martin Brundle and commentates on television for the Ria Uno channel.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Porsche Supercup 2003
Thierry Boutsen
Runs his own company, Boutsen Aviation, and also owns a team in the one-make Renault Eurocup.
Last Motorsport Appearance: 24 Hours of Le Mans 1999
Johnny Herbert
Has remained active in motorsport and raced at Le Mans last year, most recently competing in the Speedcar series.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Speedcar 2008
Pierluigi Martini
Although he had a successful sportscar career after F1, he is now fully retired from racing.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Grand Prix Masters 2006
Stefano Modena
Currently acts as a consultant to Bridgestone.
Last Motorsport Appearance: DTM Championship 2000
Christian Fittipaldi
Remains competitive in American Motorsport and currently drives for Andretti Green Racing in the American Le Mans series.
Last Motorsport Appearance: American Le Mans Series 2008
Bertrand Gachot
Runs a number of businesses in Spain, and helps market the ‘Hype’ energy drink which has close associations with motorsport.
Last Motorsport Appearance: 24 Hour of Le Mans 1997
Aguri Suzuki
Owned the recently defunct Super Aguri Formula One Team, but still runs an IRL team as well as outfits in Formula Nippon, Formula Three, and Super GT.
Last Motorsport Appearance: 24 Hour of Le Mans 1998
JJ Lehto
Is an expert commentator on Finnish television, and still races regularly in sportscars.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Speedcar 2008
Gianni Morbidelli
Races successfully in numerous touring car categories, having done so since leaving F1.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Italian Superstars Championship 2008
Mauricio Gugelmin
Fully retired from racing after two big accidents seven years ago.
Last Motorsport Appearance: CART World Series 2001
Olivier Grouillard
Works for an insurance company having obtained a business management diploma.
Last Motorsport Appearance: 24 Hour of Le Mans 2000
Ukyo Katayama
Works as a commentator on Japanese TV, and also follows his passion of mountain climbing. He drove in last years Dakar Rally and would have done so again in 2008 had it not been cancelled.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Speedcar 2008
Paul Belmondo
Recently stopped racing sportscars after his own team, Paul Belmondo Racing, collapsed at the end of 2007.
Last Motorsport Appearance: FIA GT Championship 2007
Eric van de Poele
Still drives in sportscars in the USA.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Rolex Sports Car Series 2008
Emanuele Naspetti
Fully retired from racing having spent many years in Italian Touring Cars, but still has numerous business interests in Italy.
Last Motorsport Appearance: World Touring Car Championship 2006
Nicola Larini
Has spent the last ten years racing Touring Cars in a variety of championships, and is now a regular driver for Chevrolet in the WTCC.
Last Motorsport Appearance: World Touring Car Championship 2008
Damon Hill
Currently President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, where securing the British Grand Prix’s future is his largest current role. He is also widely rumoured to be The Stig.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Japanese Grand Prix 1999
Jan Lammers
Races extensively in sportscars and will compete in four different championships this year alone. Only recently shut down his own sportscar team, but still owns the Dutch A1 Grand Prix Team
Last Motorsport Appearance: American Le Mans Series 2008
Gabriele Tarquini
Has been racing Touring Cars since 1989 (even mixing it with his F1 duties) and will likely continue to do so for as long as he can. He has won several major championships, and is aiming for another with SEAT in the WTCC.
Last Motorsport Appearance: World Touring Car Championship 2008
Andrea Chiesa
Drives a Spyker as part of the Le Mans Series in Europe.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Le Mans Series 2008
Roberto Moreno
Has spent his entire career making one-off appearances, and continues to do so in 2008. This year he has driven in a solitary Rolex Sports Car Series event, and also in the Champ Car farewell race at Long Beach.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Champ Car World Series 2008
Alex Zanardi
Continues to race in touring cars where his BMW is equipped with hand controlled pedals.
Last Motorsport Appearance: World Touring Car Championship 2008
Perry McCarthy*
Works occasionally as a motoring journalist, and is a published author.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain 2004
Giovanna Amati*
Works on Italian Television and also writes for the local media. Remains the last woman to have entered an F1 event, although she never actually qualified for a race.
Last Motorsport Appearance: Sports Racing World Cup 1999
*Perry McCarthy and Giovanna Amati never actually started a Grand Prix. Both tried to qualify for a few select races in 1992 but failed to make the cut on each occasion.