In the esteemed history of Formula 1 (F1) racing, numerous legends have graced the tracks of famous racing venues such as Circuit de Monaco, Silverstone Circuit and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
With so many famous names etched across the history of F1 racing, it's hard to pick out the select few that have raced ahead of the pack in the annals of F1 racing. Nevertheless, we’re getting into first gear and making our top 5 selections for the best F1 drivers of all time.
While mere statistics are not sufficient to definitively state who is the best of the best, it does serve as a good guideline. Our top 5 picks are based on their numerous World Championships, race wins, and overall impact on the sport's history.
Max Verstappen
Career Stats:
- World championships: 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Number of races: 218
- Number of wins: 65
- Number of pole positions: 43
- Career points: 3160.5
Max Verstappen, the son of former Formula 1 driver Jos, is widely considered the best Formula 1 driver of the last decade, based on consistent dominance, multiple World Championships, numerous record-breaking performances, and high ratings from F1 team principals. Verstappen became the youngest-ever grand prix driver in 2015, and had racked up 9 wins by the end of the 2020 season. He enjoyed an imperious 2023 season, breaking records for wins and points with relative ease. With 4 F1 titles to his name, it remains to be seen how many more Verstappen can add to his already impressive career.
Alain Prost
Career Stats:
- World Championships: 4 (1985-86, 1989, 1993)
- Number of races: 199
- Number of wins: 51
- Number of pole positions: 33
- Career points: 768.5
Alain Prost is best remembered for a golden era in F1 racing when he was engaged in a bitter rivalry with Ayrton Senna. Prost’s meticulous style was his calling card, as he cleverly utilised his natural precision to become France's first world champion in 1985. He beat Jackie Stewart's record of 27 wins in 1987, and a year later, McLaren won 15 out of 16 races across the season, which is a testament to both Prost and Senna's skill. Prost was at the top of his game until his retirement at 38, when he won his fourth and final title for Williams.
Ayrton Senna
Career Stats:
- World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990-91)
- Number of races: 161
- Number of wins: 41
- Number of pole positions: 65
- Career points: 610
The late Ayrton Senna was one of F1’s most legendary figures and remains the benchmark for raw talent and charisma. Senna was renowned for his natural speed, ambition, and unwavering commitment to push the boundaries of racing gave him an edge over his competitors. His 3 titles gave a taste of what could have been had he not tragically crashed and died at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. Over 30 years after his death, Senna is still considered one of the greatest F1 drivers, despite his relatively short career.
Lewis Hamilton
If this list were purely judged on career wins and total career points, then Britain’s Lewis Hamilton would be proclaimed as the greatest Formula 1 driver ever. Hamilton has nabbed wins in 30 different countries, has won a race in almost every season in which he’s competed in, and is currently tied with Michael Schumacher for world championships won.
Career Stats:
- World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014-15, 2017-20)
- Number of races: 365
- Number of wins: 105
- Number of pole positions: 104
- Career points: 4933.5
Michael Schumacher
Career Stats:
- World Championships: 7 (1994-95, 2000-04)
- Number of races: 308
- Number of wins: 91
- Number of pole positions: 68
- Career points: 1566
The charismatic Michael Schumacher from Germany is often spoken of in F1 circles as the greatest racing driver of all time. Before the rise of Hamilton, Schumacher dominated Formula One with 7 titles and was renowned for his fierce competitiveness. Schumacher joined the Ferrari team in 1996 (after winning 2 titles with Benetton) and encountered incredible success after 2000, winning 5 consecutive world titles and 48 wins. While his second stint in F1 wasn’t as successful (with only 1 podium win), he still achieved 91 wins, 155 podiums and 68 pole positions. He was truly a game changer in F1 thanks to his combination of raw talent, passion and dedication.
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