Table of Contents
The debate over the greatest F1 driver in history is likely to continue forever. However, let’s explore the top Formula 1 drivers based on their remarkable statistics and outstanding achievements.
1. Lewis Hamilton – 104 wins
- Debut Race: 2007 Australian Grand Prix
- World Championship Titles: 7 — (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Total Number of Races: 345
- Total Race Wins: 104
- Total Pole Positions Secured: 104
- Total Career Points Accumulated: 4764.5
Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history, thanks to his incredible career wins and record-breaking total points. The legendary British driver has achieved race victories in 30 different countries and has won at least one race in almost every season he has participated in. He shares the record for the most World Championships (7 titles) with Michael Schumacher, narrowly missing an eighth title in 2021 to Max Verstappen.
Hamilton holds numerous Formula 1 records, and with his contract extending until the end of 2023, he continues to push for even greater milestones.
In his debut season, Hamilton missed out on the world championship by just one point, but he came back stronger the following year, becoming the youngest world champion at that time. Over the next fourteen years, he secured six more world titles and remains determined in his pursuit of a historic eighth championship.
2. Michael Schumacher – 91 wins
- Debut Race: 1991 Belgian Grand Prix
- World Titles Secured: 7 — (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
- Total Grand Prix Entries: 308
- Total Race Victories: 91
- Total Pole Positions Secured: 68
- Total Career Points Accumulated: 1566
When discussing the greatest F1 driver of all time, Michael Schumacher is often the first name that comes to mind. Long before Lewis Hamilton emerged as a dominant force, Schumacher was the ultimate symbol of success and power in Formula 1. With seven world championships — including five consecutive titles — he showcased extraordinary skill, passion, and relentless competitiveness.
Schumacher won two world titles with Benetton, but he is most famously remembered for his legendary career with Ferrari. Joining the Italian team in 1996, he overcame many challenges before achieving ultimate glory in 2000. Over the next five years, Schumacher dominated the sport, winning five back-to-back championships, securing 48 race victories, and setting countless records.
Although his F1 comeback with Mercedes wasn’t as fruitful — with just one podium finish — Schumacher’s overall career stats remain iconic. With 91 Grand Prix victories, 155 podium finishes, and 68 pole positions, he firmly remains one of the most successful and celebrated drivers in Formula 1 history.
3. Max Verstappen – 61 wins
- Debut Race: 2015 Australian Grand Prix
- World championships: 3 — (2021, 2022, 2023)
- Participated in a total: of 198 races.
- Total Grand Prix Wins: 61 Victories
- Total Pole Positions Secured: 40 Times
- Total Career Points Earned: 2851.5
Max Verstappen, the talented son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, made headlines early in his career by stepping into Formula 1 after spending just a single year in car racing. While he gained valuable experience in the Florida Winter Series, it was his impressive performance in the 2014 European Formula 3 Championship that truly caught the world’s attention. Verstappen secured 10 victories out of 32 races, including an extraordinary streak of six consecutive wins, finishing third overall behind Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon.
This remarkable success paved the way for Verstappen’s entry into Formula 1. In 2015, he joined Toro Rosso, the sister team of Red Bull Racing, and made history as the youngest-ever Formula 1 driver. During his debut season, Verstappen impressed fans and critics alike with 10 top-10 finishes in 19 races — an outstanding achievement for a rookie.
However, it was in the 2016 season that Verstappen truly made his presence felt. After just five races, he was promoted to the main Red Bull Racing team, replacing Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen stunned the world by winning his very first race with Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix, capitalizing on a dramatic collision between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg on the opening lap.
By the end of the 2020 season, Verstappen had already added nine more victories to his name. The 2021 season marked a turning point, as new technical regulations allowed Red Bull to build a championship-contending car. What followed was an intense and unforgettable battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, with the world title ultimately being decided in one of the most controversial and dramatic finales in Formula 1 history.
4. Sebastian Vettel – 53 wins
- First Race: 2007 United States Grand Prix
- World Championships Won: 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- Total Grand Prix Starts: 300
- Total Race Victories: 53
- Total Pole Positions Achieved: 57
- Total Career Points Accumulated: 3098
While his Formula 1 career slowed in its later years, Sebastian Vettel was once nearly unbeatable.
Vettel’s journey in F1 began in 2007, where he quickly made his mark with nine podium finishes and five wins in his first three years. However, this was only the beginning of his dominance. Over the next four seasons, he went on to win four consecutive world championships, becoming the youngest-ever world champion, surpassing Lewis Hamilton. Vettel set numerous records, including most podium finishes in a season, most wins in a season, most pole positions in a season, most laps led, most consecutive wins, most consecutive grand slams, and most wins from pole position.
However, the 2014 regulation changes did not suit either Vettel or Red Bull, resulting in a sharp decline in their performance. After winning nine consecutive races at the end of the 2013 season, he went without a win until 2015. Since 2013, he only secured 14 more wins. Despite these struggles, Vettel remained one of the sport’s greatest drivers until his retirement at the close of the 2022 season. Many of his records are likely to stand for years to come.
5. Alain Prost – 51 wins
- Debut Race: 1980 Argentine Grand Prix
- World Titles: 4 (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993)
- Total Races Entered: 199
- Total Wins: 51
- Total Pole Positions: 33
- Total Career Points: 768.5
Alain Prost’s methodical driving approach allowed him to go head-to-head with Ayrton Senna, creating one of the most legendary rivalries in F1 history. Prost’s key strengths were his sharp intellect, speed, and innate precision on the track. These qualities led him to become France’s first Formula 1 World Champion in 1985.
In 1987, Prost surpassed Jackie Stewart’s record of 27 race wins. The following year, McLaren dominated the sport, winning 15 out of 16 races, thanks to the combined prowess of Prost and Senna. Prost maintained his exceptional form throughout his career, securing his fourth and final championship with Williams at the age of 38 before retiring from F1.
6. Ayrton Senna – 41 wins
- First race: 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix
- World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990, 1991)
- Total Races Entered: 161
- Total Race Wins: 41
- Total Pole Positions: 65
- Total Career Points: 610
Ayrton Senna, regarded as one of motorsport’s most iconic figures, is often seen as the standard for pure talent and charisma.
Senna’s unwavering dedication to each lap and his relentless pursuit of excellence have secured him a lasting legacy among motorsport enthusiasts. With three world titles to his name, his potential for even greater success was tragically cut short by his untimely death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna’s raw speed and unyielding drive gave him a unique edge, making him one of the most formidable competitors in racing history.
7. Fernando Alonso – 32 wins
- First race: 2001 Australian Grand Prix
- World Championships: 2 (2005-06)
- Total Races Entered: 393
- Total Race Wins: 32
- Total Pole Positions: 22
- Total Career Points: 2312
Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion, is renowned for his fearless and aggressive racing style. His career is defined not only by the titles he secured but also by the near-misses that shaped his journey.
Alonso clinched his first World Championship in 2005 after three years of hard work, finishing a comfortable 21 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen. The following year, he defended his title, edging out Michael Schumacher by 13 points. However, misfortune seemed to follow Alonso after that.
In 2007, Alonso joined McLaren, partnering with rookie Lewis Hamilton. That season, Alonso finished third, just one point behind Kimi Raikkonen, narrowly missing out on the championship. A switch to Ferrari in 2010 appeared promising, as he led the championship heading into the final race. Unfortunately, a critical setback behind Vitaly Petrov and Sebastian Vettel’s victory meant he finished second. In 2012, he once again came up short, losing the title to Vettel by just three points. A similar outcome occurred in 2013, where Alonso finished second once more, but the gap with Vettel widened to 155 points.
Alonso returned to McLaren in 2015, but the partnership with Honda proved challenging. Despite four difficult seasons, Alonso departed at the end of 2018, just before McLaren’s fortunes began to improve and they began climbing back to the front of the grid.
In 2021, Alonso returned to the Formula 1 grid with the Alpine team, still facing significant challenges. However, he managed to achieve his best result in seven years, finishing fourth at the Hungarian Grand Prix. That season, he also secured his long-awaited 98th podium at the Qatar Grand Prix.
A surprising move to Aston Martin for the 2023 season marked a new chapter for Alonso. The team quickly rose from midfield positions to challenge the front runners, with Alonso starting the season strong with two third-place finishes. His 100th career podium came at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking another significant milestone in his career.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Fernando Alonso has achieved remarkable feats in Formula 1, with 32 wins, 22 pole positions, and 23 fastest laps to his name. He remains a fan favourite and a beloved figure in the sport. Explore his unforgettable moments and races here.
8. Nigel Mansell – 31 wins
- First race: 1980 Austrian Grand Prix
- World Championships: 1 (1992)
- Number of Races: 187
- Number of Wins: 31
- Number of Pole Positions: 32
- Career Points: 482
Due to frequent reliability issues, Nigel Mansell faced many setbacks throughout his Formula 1 career. The 1988 season alone proved to be particularly tough, with Mansell securing two second-place finishes, missing two races due to chickenpox, and retiring from 12 races.
Despite these challenges, Mansell consistently performed well, finishing as the runner-up in the championship three times, and in 1986, he came agonizingly close to the title, missing out by just two points. As he entered his 12th full-time F1 season, it appeared he might become another skilled driver without a world championship. However, fate took a turn in his favour.
In 1992, Nigel Mansell had a stellar start to the season, winning five races. He continued his impressive form with four more victories and three second-place finishes, ultimately securing the championship title. At the age of 39, he became the fifth-oldest driver to claim the title, earning the affectionate nickname Il Leone (The Lion).
9. Jackie Stewart – 27 wins
- First race: 1965 South African Grand Prix
- World Championships: 3 (1969, 1971, 1973)
- Number of races: 99
- Number of wins: 27
- Number of pole positions: 17
- Career points: 360
Jackie Stewart was a groundbreaking figure in Formula 1, using his platform to champion enhanced safety standards. As a three-time World Champion, he had the authority to implement crucial changes, including the introduction of full-face helmets, seatbelts, medical units at races, safety barriers, and runoff areas. Stewart’s commitment to safety was driven by the heartbreaking loss of numerous friends and fellow drivers in racing accidents.
In addition to his safety advocacy, Stewart was a masterful driver, dominating the track throughout his career. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he clinched three world championships with Ken Tyrrell’s team, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
10. Niki Lauda – 25 wins
- First race: 1971 Austrian Grand Prix
- World Championships: 3 (1975, 1977, 1984)
- Number of races: 171
- Number of wins: 25
- Number of pole positions: 24
- Career points: 420.5
Niki Lauda began his Formula 1 journey as a paid driver, relying on financial support to enter the sport. However, his undeniable talent and exceptional skill ensured he not only remained in Formula 1 but also achieved remarkable success.
In 1974, after three seasons in Formula 1, Lauda joined Ferrari. That year, he won two races and finished fourth in the championship despite facing a series of misfortunes. His breakthrough came in 1975 when he secured five victories and claimed his first world title. Yet, it was the 1976 season, marked by his infamous crash at the Nurburgring, that became one of the most iconic moments in racing history.
Lauda made a remarkable recovery from his near-fatal Nurburgring crash but narrowly lost the championship to James Hunt by just one point in 1976. He then went on to win his second world title in 1977 before retiring from racing after two more years. However, in 1982, he made a return with McLaren and clinched his third championship in 1984 following a thrilling battle with Alain Prost. Lauda ultimately retired for good at the end of the 1985 season.
Beyond his driving career, Lauda was also known for his sharp business sense. He held managerial roles at Ferrari and Jaguar, but he is best remembered for his pivotal role at Mercedes.
Lauda played a key part in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes in 2013, and he continued to work closely with the team until his passing in 2019.
Conclusion
Selecting the top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all time is a subjective endeavour, but these drivers have undeniably shaped the sport with their extraordinary skills, achievements, and lasting influence. Each individual on this list has made a unique contribution to the legacy and thrill of Formula 1, leaving an unforgettable mark on its history and inspiring countless racing fans around the world.
