The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (2024)

The best F1 driver in history is a debate that has, and will continue to, rage as long as Formula 1 exists, but we look at who the best drivers are statistically.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (1)

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1st position, celebrates on arrival in Parc Ferme

Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images

1. Lewis Hamilton - 105 wins

  • First race: 2007 Australian Grand Prix
  • World Championships:7 (2008,2014-15, 2017-20)
  • Number of races: 347
  • Number of wins:105
  • Number of pole positions:104
  • Career points:4793.5

In terms of career wins and total career points, Lewis Hamilton is the best Formula 1 driver to have ever graced a circuit. The Brit hastaken wins in30different countries, won a race in almost every season he’s competed in, and is currently tied onworldchampionships with Michael Schumacher, having narrowly missed out on taking an eighth world title in 2021 to Max Verstappen.Hamilton holds many of Formula 1’s recordsand,with a contract that runs to the end of 2023, he looks to be able topush even further ahead on many ofthem.

While he missed becoming champion in his first season by a single point, he became the(then)youngest worldchampion the following year.Fourteen years later he’s secured six moretitles, andis hunting for an eighth.

Read more about Hamilton's first 100 wins here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (2)

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004 celebrates with the Ferrari team after winning his 7th world championship with Jean Todt and Ross Brawn

Photo by: Motorsport Images

2. Michael Schumacher - 91 wins

  • First race: 1991 Belgian Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 7 (1994-95, 2000-04)
  • Number of races: 308
  • Number of wins: 91
  • Number of pole positions: 68
  • Career points: 1566

When considering the best F1 driver, Michael Schumacher immediately springs to mind. He was, until the rise of Hamilton, the face of domination in Formula 1: seven titles (five of them consecutive), a seemingly insurmountable number of wins, unrelenting competitiveness – Schumacher changed the game in F1 with his combination of dedication, passion, and, of course, raw talent.

While he took two titles with Benetton, he’s far more well-known for his time with Ferrari. He joined the team in 1996 and, after some highs and lows in the following years, the combination struck gold in 2000. What followed in the next five years were five world titles, 48 wins, and a record book that had Michael Schumacher’s name in almost every field.

His second stint in F1 wasn’t as successful as his first, yielding a single podium to add to his collection. However, his 91 wins, 155 podiums and 68 pole positions still put him high up in any statistical analysis. See our top 10Schumacher victories here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (3)

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

3. Max Verstappen - 61 wins

  • First race: 2015 Australian Grand Prix
  • World championships: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Number of races: 200
  • Number of wins: 61
  • Number of pole positions: 40
  • Career points: 2881.5

Max Verstappen, son of former Formula 1 driver Jos, spent just one year in car racing before making his F1 debut. While he got to grips with the single-seaters in the Florida Winter Series, his junior career is best remembered for his 2014 European Formula 3 campaign when he finished third in the championship behind Tom Blomqvist and title-winner Esteban Ocon.

This single season, in which he took 10 wins from 32 races, including six consecutive wins, was enough to earn him the move up to F1, taking a seat at Red Bull sister team Toro Rosso for 2015 and becoming the youngest-ever grand prix driver. His inaugural F1 season returned some success in middle-of-the-pack machinery – 10 points-paying finishes from 19 races – but it was his second season where he really announced his entry in F1.

Getting the call up to the senior Red Bull team five races into the 2016 season, replacing the beleaguered Daniil Kvyat, Verstappen took his first win immediately at the Spanish GP, aided by Mercedes team-mates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton crashing out together on the first lap.

He’d take a further nine wins by the end of the 2020 season, before the tweaked technical regulations for the 2021 season resulted in Red Bull producing a car truly capable of fighting for the world title. With the Red Bull much closer to the previously dominant Mercedes car, Verstappen and Hamilton engaged in an arduous, season-long battle for the title. The fight came down to the final lap of the final race, with Verstappen just taking the honours ahead of the seven-time world champion for his first title since karting in 2013.

The 2022 championship was a much easier time for the Dutchman by comparison. Though he failed to finish two of the opening three rounds due to reliability trouble, Verstappen sailed to the title behind the wheel of the RB18, with his win in Suzuka proving enough to take the title. His run to the 2023 title was imperious, breaking records for wins and points with relative ease. With a second and third crown to his name, it remains to be seen how many more he can add to his tally.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (4)

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9 Renault

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

4. Sebastian Vettel - 53 wins

  • First race: 2007 United States Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 4 (2010-13)
  • Number of races: 300
  • Number of wins: 53
  • Number of pole positions: 57
  • Career points: 3098

While his form in Formula 1 slowed towards the end of his career, there was a time when Sebastian Vettel was virtually unbeatable.

Vettel’s F1 career started in 2007 and, in his first three years, he took nine podiums and five wins, though this was nothing on what was to come. Over the next four years he became the face of F1, winning four consecutive championships and becoming the youngest world champion in the process (taking the accolade from Lewis Hamilton). He also secured the records for most podium finishes in a season, most wins in a season, most pole positions in a season, most laps led in a season, most consecutive wins, most consecutive grand slams, and most wins from pole position in a season.

Unfortunately for Vettel the regulation changes in 2014 didn’t suit Red Bull (or him), and the team quickly fell back through the pack. He went from nine consecutive wins in the final nine races of the 2013 season to not winning a single race until 2015, and since that 2013 season he’s ‘only’ taken 14 wins. Despite that he was still widely regarded as one of the best drivers on the grid until his retirement at the end of the 2022 season, and his list of records is likely to stand for many more seasons.

Read more about Sebastian Vettel's top 10wins here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (5)

Podium: Second placed Elio De Angelis, Lotus, race winner Alain Prost, McLaren, third placed Thierry Boutsen, Arrows

Photo by: Sutton Images

5. Alain Prost - 51 wins

  • First race: 1980 Argentinian Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 4 (1985-86, 1989, 1993)
  • Number of races: 199
  • Number of wins: 51
  • Number of pole positions: 33
  • Career points: 768.5

It was Alain Prost's meticulous style that allowed him to go up against Ayrton Senna – the bitter feud that he is best remembered for. His secret weapon was brainpower, as well as speed, and he possessed a natural precision in his driving that allowed Prost to become France's first world champion in 1985.

Race of my life: Prost on the 1990 Mexican GP

In 1987 he beat Jackie Stewart's record of 27 wins and a year later McLaren won 15 out of 16 races across the season, which is testament to both Prost and Senna's skill. Prost remained at the top of his game until his retirement, taking his fourth and final title for Williams at 38 years old.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (6)

Ayrton Senna, McLaren MP4-8

Photo by: Ercole Colombo

6. Ayrton Senna - 41 wins

  • First race: 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990-91)
  • Number of races: 161
  • Number of wins: 41
  • Number of pole positions: 65
  • Career points: 610

One of motorsport's most legendary figures, Ayrton Senna remains the benchmark for raw talent and charisma.

His depth of commitment to a lap and his constant desire to push the boundaries for more has meant that Senna has a special place in the hearts of many motorsport fans. His three titles give a sense of what could have been had he not died at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. A combination of natural speed and restless ambition gave Senna an edge rarely seen.

PLUS:Senna's 10 greatest Formula 1 races

Such is his legacy that even nearly thirty years after his death, Senna's carsand how he won his greatest F1 titleare still talked about.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (7)

Race winner Fernando Alonso, Renault celebrates on the podium

Photo by: Sutton Images

7. Fernando Alonso - 32 wins

  • First race: 2001 Australian Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 2 (2005-06)
  • Number of races: 395
  • Number of wins: 32
  • Number of pole positions: 22
  • Career points: 2315

Fernando Alonso is a two-time world champion with a reputation as a fearless, aggressive racer, though his career can be defined as much by what didn’t come as the two titles he won.

The Spaniard spent three years in Formula 1 before scoring the first of his two consecutive crowns, taking the title with a comfortable 21 point lead over Kimi Raikkonen. His second title the year later was a 13-point lead over the great Michael Schumacher, though this is where Alonso’s good fortune seemed to run out.

A move to McLaren in 2007 to partner then-rookie Lewis Hamilton saw him finish the season in third, just one point behind winner Kimi Raikkonen and behind Hamilton, who had the same points but more wins. His 2010 move to Ferrari looked like it would pay off as he entered the final race of the season in the lead, but a combination of him getting stuck behind Vitaly Petrov and a win for Sebastian Vettel meant Alonso had to settle for second. He missed the 2012 title by just three points (again to Vettel), and was second again in 2013 (though was 155 points the German).

He moved back to McLaren in 2015 – just in time for the disastrous McLaren-Honda relationship – and after four tough years he left at the end of 2018 – just before McLaren made their way back towards the front of the grid.

Even the 2021 season was unkind to Alonso – racing for the midfield Alpine team he secured a fourth place at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix (the best he’d finished for seven years) while his team mate Esteban Ocon went on to win, though a long-awaited 98th podium finally came in Qatar.

A shock move to Aston Martin for the 2023 season proved to be a masterstroke, as the team rocketed up from midfield to the front of the pack. Alonso opened the season with two third places - giving him his prestigious 100th career podium in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Despite the terrible luck that Alonso has exhibited in Formula 1 he’s still taken 32 wins, 22 pole positions and 23 fastest laps, and is a firm fan favourite. You can read more about his greatest races here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (8)

Race winner Nigel Mansell, Williams FW11B Honda

Photo by: Motorsport Images

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

Nigel Mansell was another one of Formula 1’s ‘unlucky’ drivers. His career was dogged by reliability issues, and his entire 1988 season consisted of two second-place finishes, two races missed due to chicken pox, and 12 retirements.

He managed to finish in second place in the championship three times – missing out on the title by two points in 1986 – and as he entered his 12th full-time season in Formula 1, it looked like he might go down as yet another brilliant driver to miss out on the title. Thankfully for the Brit though, this didn’t happen.

PLUS: Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives

Mansell took five consecutive wins to start the 1992 season, going on to claim four more and taking an additional three second-place finishes. This was enough for ‘Il leone’ to take the title at the age of 39 years old, becoming the fifth-oldest person to do so.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (9)

Jackie Stewart, Tyrell 006 Cosworth

Photo by: Motorsport Images

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

It might seem an intrinsic part of F1 today, but Jackie Stewart was one of the first drivers to prove that racers can, and should, strive for better safety standards. As a triple champion and dominant force in the sport, Stewart had the credibility needed to change the culture around safety in motorsport. After seeing too many of his friends and colleagues killed doing what they loved, Stewart was a key pioneer in the introduction of full-face helmets, seatbelts, travelling medical units, safety barriers, runoff areas and more.

Outside his quest for safety, Stewart was a prodigious talent on track and was the man to beat throughout his time on the grid, claiming three world titles with Ken Tyrrell's eponymous team as the two formed an irrepressible double-act in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Read more about Jackie Stewart's best races here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (10)

Niki Lauda, Ferrari 312T

Photo by: Motorsport Images

=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 entered Formula 1 as a pay driver though nobody can deny that, while his money helped him enter F1, it’s his talent that kept him there.

With three seasons in F1 under his belt, Lauda joined Ferrari for the 1974 season and secured two wins and fourth place in the championship for 1974, having often set the pace but suffered misfortune. In 1975 Lauda took five wins and the first of his three world titles, but it’s his 1976 season – and the infamous Nurburgring crash – that’s his most famous.

He bounced back from a life-threatening crash at the Nurburgring to miss out on the title by one point to James Hunt. He took his second title in 1977 and retired two years later, only to return with McLaren in 1982. That yielded a third crown in 1984, after an epic contest with Alain Prost, before Lauda retired for good at the end of 1985.

While he proved his talent on track, he later became known for his business sense off it. He worked in managerial positions for Ferrari and Jaguar, though he’s most well-known for his part in Mercedes.

He was instrumental in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes for the 2013 season, and worked with the team until he passed away in 2019.

Read more about Niki Lauda's 10 best races here.

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (11)

Jim Clark, Lotus 49 Ford

Photo by: Motorsport Images

=10. Jim Clark - 25 wins

  • First race: 1960 Dutch Grand Prix
  • World Championships: 2 (1963, 1965)
  • Number of races: 72
  • Number of wins: 25
  • Number of pole positions: 33
  • Career points: 274

Jim Clark shunned the limelight and was only interested in winning. From 1962-65, the Scottish ace was arguably only beatenin the world title when he encountered mechanical issues and at the time of his death in 1968 – tragically during an F2 race at Hockenheim – he held the record for the most race wins.

An unrivalled talent, Clark was eight miles clear of the nearest competitor in the torrential rain at Spa in 1963, highlighting the bravery of a driver racing in the most dangerous period of motorsport's history.

Read more about Jim Clark's greatest drives here.

PLUS:Who is the greatest driver of all time?

F1 drivers ranked by wins

DriverRaces StartedWinsChampionships
Lewis Hamilton3471057
Michael Schumacher308917
Max Verstappen200613
Sebastian Vettel299534
Alain Prost199514
Ayrton Senna161413
Fernando Alonso392322
Nigel Mansell187311
Jackie Stewart99273
Niki Lauda171253
Jim Clark72252
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more (2024)

FAQs

The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more? ›

Senna's time on the European karting scene saw him race alongside an experienced British driver called Terry Fullerton, whom he would later name as the person he gained the most satisfaction from competing against.

Who did Ayrton Senna say was the best driver? ›

Senna's time on the European karting scene saw him race alongside an experienced British driver called Terry Fullerton, whom he would later name as the person he gained the most satisfaction from competing against.

Is Senna the best F1 driver ever? ›

For many, Ayrton Senna is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, and the passing of years since his death - at the peak of his powers aged 34 in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix - has only strengthened that conviction.

Is Hamilton the best F1 driver ever? ›

To determine the true F1 "GOAT" we delve into an extensive analysis of historical race data. The data spans 1973 to 2023 and weighs drivers by how much they dominated their contemporaries. Based on the data, Lewis Hamilton comes out on top.

Who is the fastest F1 driver in history? ›

Leading Formula 1 drivers 1950-2024, by number of fastest laps. As of January 2024, the German Formula One legend Michael Schumacher still held the record for the most fastest race laps, with a total of 77.

Who is a better F1 driver than Senna? ›

F1 drivers ranked by wins
DriverRaces StartedWins
Alain Prost19951
Ayrton Senna16141
Fernando Alonso39132
Nigel Mansell18731
7 more rows
Jul 29, 2024

Who was the greatest driver of all time? ›

Without considering the impact of his team, the greatest driver of all time in terms of most race wins is Michael Schumacher. But the study found that once the effect of his team is removed, legendary racer Fangio claims the top spot, followed by Alain Prost in second and Fernando Alonso in third position.

Is Senna better than Lewis? ›

Yes. Although we would need to define “better” first, I think there were a few drivers better than Senna in every possible meaning. If “better” equals “effective”, then Senna's career was not that spectacular. He raced in F1 for 10 years and change, winning three WDCs.

Was Senna actually good? ›

Senna had tremendous self-belief, and an overtake was only a risk if he doubted his ability to make it happen. Senna never did. “It was completely calculated,” says Indy Lall, who originally joined McLaren in 1981 as a Mechanic. “For me, I'm 100% absolutely sure the way he drove was pure skill and ability.

Who's better, Verstappen or Hamilton? ›

At the age of 26, only Sebastian Vettel has a better record having picked up four titles between 2010 and 2013, though Verstappen has won 16 more races than the German. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton - who share the record of seven titles - are nowhere near Verstappen's statistics.

Who is best Schumacher or Hamilton? ›

Lewis Hamilton has surpassed the legendary Michael Schumacher and is now the most successful F1 driver of all time. Lewis Hamilton, the most accomplished Formula 1 driver in history, continues to break records and redefine success in the sport.

Why is Ayrton Senna considered the best? ›

Born in São Paulo in 1960, Senna is generally considered to be the greatest F1 drivers of all time. At the time of his death, he had achieved more pole positions than anyone else in the history of the sport and was second in the list of all time winners behind his great rival Alain Prost.

Who is the best F1 driver of all time according to science? ›

F1 racing: Not for the fainthearted

Juan Manuel Fangio is widely regarded as the Godfather of F1 racing, while the use of scientific analysis has led to the conclusion that Ayrton Senna is the greatest driver of all time. However, F1 racing is a dynamic and exciting sport, with new talents emerging all the time.

Who is the most likeable F1 driver? ›

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton remains the most popular driver on the grid based on his social media following.

Who is the oldest F1 driver ever? ›

1: Louis Chiron – 55 years, 292 days – Monaco 1955

Having already taken an array of Grand Prix wins and podiums, he made his mark on F1 by placing an emotional third behind Ascari and Fangio at the 1950 Monte Carlo event – his second of 15 races in the category.

Who is the heaviest F1 driver ever? ›

Which F1 driver weighs the most? Nico Hülkenberg is the heaviest driver in the field. The German weighs 78 kilograms.

What did Senna say about Jim Clark? ›

Senna made only two stipulations: a) there was to be no trace of Alain Prost, his bitter rival; and b) Escobedo could place the drivers in any formation he chose, providing Jim Clark filled pole position. "After all," said the Brazilian in a rare moment of modesty, "he was the best of the best".

Which driver did Ayrton Senna save? ›

As F1 doctors assisted Ayrton Senna and prepared him for him to be transported to hospital by helicopter, the roaring V8 of a Larrousse could be heard in the background. Behind the wheel was Frenchman Erik Comas - a man who owed his life to Senna.

What was Senna's famous quote? ›

Ayrton Senna: “If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver.” Much like the young Michael Schumacher who emerged in the latter stages of his career, Ayrton Senna was uncompromising in his pursuit of victory, even to the point of unsportsmanlike behaviour.

What did Ayrton Senna say? ›

Senna was hugely thoughtful and mindful of the media as his career took off. But he gave great quotes, including: “If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.”

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