Since records began in 1950, over 32 drivers have been crowned World Champion. Sporting legends Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Michael Schumacher have 23 titles between them and have all broken unbelievable career records to stand head and shoulders above their peers.
F1 Races Entered and Started
Total Entries
F1 Driver’s Championships
Total Championships
Titles | Driver | Seasons |
---|---|---|
7 | Lewis Hamilton | 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Michael Schumacher | 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 | |
5 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 |
4 | Sebastian Vettel | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
Alain Prost | 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993 | |
Max Verstappen | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
3 | Ayrton Senna | 1988, 1990, 1991 |
Nelson Piquet | 1981, 1983, 1987 | |
Niki Lauda | 1975, 1977, 1984 | |
Jackie Stewart | 1969, 1971, 1973 | |
Jack Brabham | 1959, 1960, 1966 | |
2 | Fernando Alonso | 2005, 2006 |
Mika Hakkinen | 1998, 1999 | |
Emerson Fittipaldi | 1972, 1974 | |
Graham Hill | 1962, 1968 | |
Jim Clark | 1963, 1965 | |
Alberto Ascari | 1952, 1953 | |
1 | Nico Rosberg | 2016 |
Jenson Button | 2009 | |
Kimi Räikkönen | 2007 | |
Jacques Villeneuve | 1997 | |
Damon Hill | 1996 | |
Nigel Mansell | 1992 | |
Keke Rosberg | 1982 | |
Alan Jones | 1980 | |
Jody Scheckter | 1979 | |
Mario Andretti | 1978 | |
James Hunt | 1976 | |
Jochen Rindt | 1970 | |
Denny Hulme | 1967 | |
John Surtees | 1964 | |
Phil Hill | 1961 | |
Mike Hawthorn | 1958 | |
Giuseppe Farina | 1950 |
Most Consecutive Championships
Seasons | Driver | Seasons |
---|---|---|
5 | Michael Schumacher | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
4 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1954 , 1955 , 1956 , 1957 |
Sebastian Vettel | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 | |
Max Verstappen | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
2 | Alberto Ascari | 1952, 1953 |
Jack Brabham | 1959 , 1960 | |
Alain Prost | 1985, 1986 | |
Ayrton Senna | 1990, 1991 | |
Michael Schumacher | 1994, 1995 | |
Mika Hakkinen | 1998, 1999 | |
Fernando Alonso | 2005, 2006 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2014, 2015 | |
Max Verstappen | 2021, 2022 |
Formula 1 Wins
Total Wins
Most Wins In A Season
From Verstappen’s 19 wins in 2023 to Schumacher’s Ferrari dominance, explore the most commanding single-season performances in Formula 1 history.
Wins | Driver | Season | Races | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
19 | Max Verstappen | 2023 | 22 | 86.36 |
15 | Max Verstappen | 2022 | 22 | 68.18 |
13 | Michael Schumacher | 2004 | 18 | 72.22 |
Sebastian Vettel | 2013 | 19 | 68.42 | |
11 | Michael Schumacher | 2002 | 17 | 64.71 |
Sebastian Vettel | 2011 | 19 | 57.89 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2014 | 19 | 57.89 | |
2018 | 21 | 52.38 | ||
2019 | 21 | 52.38 | ||
2020 | 17 | 64.71 |
Most Wins In A Season: Complete List
Most Consecutive Wins
F1 Pole Positions
Total Pole Positions
Most Consecutive Pole Positions
Poles | Driver | Races |
---|---|---|
8 | Ayrton Senna | 1988 Spanish – 1989 United States |
Max Verstappen | 2023 Abu Dhabi – 2024 Emilia Romagna | |
7 | Ayrton Senna | 1990 Spanish – 1991 Monaco |
Alain Prost | 1993 South African – 1993 Canadian | |
Michael Schumacher | 2000 Italian – 2001 Brazilian | |
Lewis Hamilton* | 2015 Monaco – 2015 Italian | |
6 | Niki Lauda | 1974 Dutch – 1974 Italian |
Ayrton Senna | 1988 Brazilian – 1988 Detroit | |
1989 Belgian – 1989 Australian | ||
Nigel Mansell | 1992 South African – 1992 Monaco | |
Mika Hakkinen | 1999 British – 1999 Italian | |
Nico Rosberg | 2015 Japanese – 2015 Abu Dhabi | |
Lewis Hamilton* | 2016 United States – 2017 Chinese |
Most pole positions at the same Grand Prix
Poles | Driver | Grand Prix | Seasons |
---|---|---|---|
9 | Lewis Hamilton* | Hungarian Grand Prix | 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 |
8 | Ayrton Senna | San Marino Grand Prix | 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 |
Michael Schumacher | Japanese Grand Prix | 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 | |
Lewis Hamilton* | Australian Grand Prix | 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 | |
7 | Michael Schumacher | Spanish Grand Prix | 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
Hungarian Grand Prix | 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 | ||
Lewis Hamilton* | British Grand Prix | 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 | |
Italian Grand Prix | 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 | ||
6 | Ayrton Senna | Australian Grand Prix | 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993 |
Brazilian Grand Prix | 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 | ||
Michael Schumacher | Canadian Grand Prix | 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 | |
Lewis Hamilton* | Chinese Grand Prix | 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 | |
Canadian Grand Prix | 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017 | ||
Belgian Grand Prix | 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 | ||
Spanish Grand Prix | 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 |
Most podium finishes
Rank | Driver | Podiums | Active Years |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lewis Hamilton | 202 | 2007–present |
2 | Michael Schumacher | 155 | 1991–2006, 2010–2012 |
3 | Sebastian Vettel | 122 | 2007–2022 |
4 | Max Verstappen | 118 | 2015–present |
5 | Alain Prost | 106 | 1980–1991, 1993 |
6 | Fernando Alonso | 106 | 2001–present |
7 | Kimi Raikkonen | 103 | 2001–2009, 2012–2021 |
8 | Ayrton Senna | 80 | 1984–1994 |
9 | Rubens Barrichello | 68 | 1993–2011 |
10 | Valtteri Bottas | 67 | 2013–2024 |
Youngest F1 podium finishers
From rookies with nothing to lose to prodigies destined for greatness, who are the youngest F1 podium finishers proving that talent can shine through at any age?
Pos. | Driver | Age | Grand Prix |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen | 18y 07m 15d | Spain 2016 |
2 | Lance Stroll | 18y 07m 27d | Azerbaijan 2017 |
3 | Kimi Antonelli | 18y 09m 21d | Canada 2025 |
4 | Lando Norris | 20y 07m 22d | Austria 2020 |
5 | Isack Hadjar | 20y 11m 03d | Netherlands 2025 |
6 | Sebastian Vettel | 21y 02m 11d | Italy 2008 |
7 | Daniil Kvyat | 21y 03m 00d | Hungary 2015 |
8 | Kevin Magnussen | 21y 05m 11d | Australia 2014 |
9 | Charles Leclerc | 21y 05m 15d | Bahrain 2019 |
10 | Fernando Alonso | 21y 07m 23d | Malaysia 2003 |
11 | Robert Kubica | 21y 09m 03d | Italy 2006 |
12 | Ralf Schumacher | 21y 09m 14d | Argentina 1997 |
13 | Elio de Angelis | 21y 10m 01d | Brazil 1980 |
14 | Bruce McLaren | 21y 10m 18d | Britain 1959 |
15 | Rubens Barrichello | 21y 10m 25d | Pacific 1994 |
16 | Sergio Perez | 22y 01m 28d | Malaysia 2012 |
17 | Lewis Hamilton | 22y 02m 11d | Australia 2007 |
18 | Troy Ruttman | 22y 02m 19d | Indianapolis 1952 |
19 | Kimi Raikkonen | 22y 04m 14d | Australia 2002 |
20 | Jos Verstappen | 22y 05m 10d | Hungary 1994 |
21 | Oscar Piastri | 22y 05m 18d | Japan 2023 |
22 | Cesare Perdisa | 22y 07m 01d | Monaco 1955 |
23 | Nico Rosberg | 22y 08m 18d | Australia 2008 |
24 | Andrea de Cesaris | 22y 11m 23d | Monaco 1982 |
25 | Nelsinho Piquet | 22y 11m 25d | Germany 2008 |
26 | Michael Schumacher | 23y 02m 19d | Mexico 1992 |
27 | Mike Hawthorn | 23y 03m 09d | Britain 1952 |
28 | Alexander Wurz | 23y 04m 28d | Britain 1997 |
29 | Jacky Ickx | 23y 05m 08d | Belgium 1968 |
30 | David Coulthard | 23y 05m 29d | Portugal 1994 |
31 | George Russell | 23y 06m 14d | Belgium 2021 |
32 | Pierre Gasly | 23y 09m 10d | Brazil 2019 |
33 | Chris Amon | 23y 09m 17d | Monaco 1967 |
34 | Emerson Fittipaldi | 23y 09m 22d | USA 1970 |
35 | Jim Rathmann | 23y 10m 14d | Indianapolis 1952 |
36 | Nick Heidfeld | 23y 10m 22d | Brazil 2001 |
37 | Jochen Rindt | 24y 01m 25d | Belgium 1966 |
38 | Riccardo Patrese | 24y 02m 00d | Sweden 1978 |
39 | Jenson Button | 24y 02m 02d | Malaysia 2004 |
40 | Ayrton Senna | 24y 02m 13d | Monaco 1984 |
41 | Esteban Ocon | 24y 02m 19d | Sakhir 2020 |
42 | Jody Scheckter | 24y 03m 13d | Belgium 1974 |
43 | Eddie Cheever | 24y 03m 29d | Belgium 1982 |
44 | Giancarlo Fisichella | 24y 05m 01d | Canada 1997 |
45 | Jim Clark | 24y 05m 10d | Portugal 1960 |
46 | Alexander Albon | 24y 05m 21d | Tuscany 2020 |
47 | Peter Collins | 24y 06m 07d | Monaco 1956 |
48 | Eugenio Castellotti | 24y 07m 12d | Monaco 1955 |
49 | Stirling Moss | 24y 09m 03d | Belgium 1954 |
50 | Valtteri Bottas | 24y 09m 25d | Austria 2014 |
51 | Daniel Ricciardo | 24y 10m 10d | Spain 2014 |
52 | Niki Lauda | 24y 10m 22d | Argentina 1974 |
53 | Jacques Villeneuve | 24y 11m 01d | Australia 1996 |
54 | Felipe Massa | 25y 00m 12d | Europe 2006 |
55 | Mika Hakkinen | 25y 00m 26d | Japan 1993 |
56 | Jarno Trulli | 25y 02m 13d | Europe 1999 |
57 | Carlos Sainz | 25y 02m 16d | Brazil 2019 |
58 | Masten Gregory | 25y 02m 20d | Monaco 1957 |
59 | Tony Brooks | 25y 02m 24d | Monaco 1957 |
60 | JJ Lehto | 25y 02m 28d | San Marino 1991 |
61 | Ivan Capelli | 25y 03m 04d | Belgium 1988 |
62 | Michele Alboreto | 25y 04m 02d | San Marino 1982 |
63 | Trevor Taylor | 25y 04m 24d | Netherlands 1962 |
64 | Tony Maggs | 25y 04m 29d | France 1962 |
65 | Juan-Pablo Montoya | 25y 07m 09d | Spain 2001 |
66 | Jean Alesi | 25y 09m 00d | USA 1990 |
67 | Jimmy Davies | 25y 09m 12d | Indianapolis 1955 |
68 | James Hunt | 25y 11m 00d | Netherlands 1973 |
69 | Mauricio Gugelmin | 25y 11m 06d | Brazil 1989 |
70 | Heikki Kovalainen | 25y 11m 11d | Japan 2007 |
71 | Jackie Stewart | 25y 11m 19d | Monaco 1965 |
72 | Stefano Modena | 25y 11m 25d | Monaco 1989 |
73 | Romain Grosjean | 26y 00m 05d | Bahrain 2012 |
74 | Kamui Kobayashi | 26y 00m 24d | Japan 2012 |
75 | Alain Prost | 26y 01m 19d | Argentina 1981 |
76 | Tom Pryce | 26y 02m 06d | Austria 1975 |
77 | Jackie Oliver | 26y 02m 20d | Mexico 1968 |
78 | Umberto Maglioli | 26y 03m 00d | Italy 1954 |
79 | Timo Glock | 26y 04m 16d | Hungary 2008 |
80 | John Surtees | 26y 05m 05d | Britain 1960 |
81 | Lorenzo Bandini | 26y 05m 13d | Monaco 1962 |
82 | Hans Herrmann | 26y 05m 30d | Switzerland 1954 |
83 | Giancarlo Baghetti | 26y 06m 07d | France 1961 |
84 | Vitaly Petrov | 26y 06m 19d | Australia 2011 |
85 | Hans Joachim Stuck | 26y 06m 30d | Germany 1977 |
86 | Johnny Servoz-Gavin | 26y 07m 21d | Italy 1968 |
87 | Gerhard Berger | 26y 08m 00d | San Marino 1986 |
88 | Mark Blundell | 26y 11m 06d | South Africa 1993 |
89 | Pedro Rodriguez | 26y 11m 15d | South Africa 1967 |
90 | Piers Courage | 26y 11m 21d | Monaco 1969 |
91 | Rolf Stommelen | 27y 01m 05d | Austria 1970 |
92 | Didier Pironi | 27y 01m 17d | Belgium 1979 |
93 | Pastor Maldonado | 27y 02m 04d | Spain 2012 |
94 | Ronnie Peterson | 27y 03m 09d | Monaco 1971 |
95 | François Cevert | 27y 04m 09d | France 1971 |
96 | Takuma Sato | 27y 04m 23d | USA 2004 |
97 | Nelson Piquet | 27y 04m 27d | Argentina 1980 |
98 | Gunnar Nilsson | 27y 05m 12d | Spain 1976 |
99 | Henri Pescarolo | 27y 07m 15d | Monaco 1970 |
100 | Alfonso de Portago | 27y 09m 03d | Britain 1956 |
101 | Nigel Mansell | 27y 09m 09d | Belgium 1981 |
102 | Thierry Boutsen | 27y 09m 22d | San Marino 1985 |
103 | Gianni Morbidelli | 27y 09m 30d | Australia 1995 |
104 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | 27y 10m 16d | Monaco 1974 |
105 | Tim Schenken | 27y 10m 20d | Austria 1971 |
106 | Olivier Panis | 27y 10m 29d | Germany 1994 |
107 | Cliff Allison | 27y 11m 30d | Argentina 1960 |
108 | Richard Attwood | 28y 01m 22d | Monaco 1968 |
109 | Stuart Lewis-Evans | 28y 01m 26d | Belgium 1958 |
110 | Jo Siffert | 28y 02m 27d | USA 1964 |
111 | Dan Gurney | 28y 03m 20d | Germany 1959 |
112 | Heinz-Harald Frentzen | 28y 03m 23d | Italy 1995 |
113 | Jochen Mass | 28y 03m 27d | Brazil 1975 |
114 | Jimmy Bryan | 28y 04m 03d | Indianapolis 1954 |
115 | Gilles Villeneuve | 28y 06m 26d | Austria 1978 |
116 | Mark Webber | 28y 08m 25d | Monaco 2005 |
117 | Jose-Froilan Gonzalez | 28y 08m 26d | France 1951 |
118 | Stefan Johansson | 28y 09m 08d | Canada 1985 |
119 | Mike Spence | 28y 09m 24d | Mexico 1965 |
120 | Carlos Pace | 28y 10m 13d | Austria 1973 |
121 | Tiago Monteiro | 28y 10m 26d | USA 2005 |
122 | Alessandro Nannini | 29y 00m 03d | Britain 1988 |
123 | Reine Wisell | 29y 00m 04d | USA 1970 |
124 | Bob Sweikert | 29y 00m 10d | Indianapolis 1955 |
125 | Bruno Giacomelli | 29y 01m 07d | Caesars Palace 1981 |
126 | Teo Fabi | 29y 03m 15d | Detroit 1984 |
127 | Jo Bonnier | 29y 04m 00d | Netherlands 1959 |
128 | Wolfgang von Trips | 29y 04m 04d | Italy 1957 |
129 | Onofre Marimon | 29y 06m 02d | Belgium 1953 |
130 | Eddie Irvine | 29y 07m 01d | Canada 1995 |
131 | Manuel Ayulo | 29y 07m 10d | Indianapolis 1951 |
132 | Derek Warwick | 29y 07m 11d | South Africa 1984 |
133 | Mike Nazaruk | 29y 07m 28d | Indianapolis 1951 |
134 | Patrick Depailler | 29y 10m 00d | Sweden 1974 |
135 | Eric Bernard | 29y 11m 07d | Germany 1994 |
136 | Innes Ireland | 29y 11m 25d | Netherlands 1960 |
137 | Denny Hulme | 30y 00m 15d | France 1966 |
138 | Richie Ginther | 30y 00m 30d | Italy 1960 |
139 | Nicola Larini | 30y 01m 12d | San Marino 1994 |
140 | Aguri Suzuki | 30y 01m 13d | Japan 1990 |
141 | Mario Andretti | 30y 01m 22d | Spain 1970 |
142 | John Watson | 30y 02m 00d | France 1976 |
143 | Luigi Musso | 30y 02m 26d | Spain 1954 |
144 | Philippe Streiff | 30y 04m 08d | Australia 1985 |
145 | Pat Flaherty | 30y 04m 24d | Indianapolis 1956 |
146 | Peter Arundell | 30y 06m 02d | Monaco 1964 |
147 | Alan Jones | 30y 09m 12d | Austria 1977 |
148 | Johnny Herbert | 30y 10m 19d | Spain 1995 |
149 | Michael Andretti | 30y 11m 07d | Italy 1993 |
150 | Clay Regazzoni | 30y 11m 11d | Austria 1970 |
151 | René Arnoux | 30y 11m 27d | France 1979 |
152 | Keke Rosberg | 31y 01m 07d | Argentina 1980 |
153 | Jean-Pierre Beltoise | 31y 01m 28d | Netherlands 1968 |
154 | Brian Redman | 31y 02m 03d | Spain 1968 |
155 | Don Freeland | 31y 02m 05d | Indianapolis 1956 |
156 | Carlos Reutemann | 31y 02m 19d | France 1973 |
157 | Jean Behra | 31y 03m 02d | Switzerland 1952 |
158 | Graham Hill | 31y 03m 22d | Netherlands 1960 |
159 | Phil Hill | 31y 04m 18d | Italy 1958 |
160 | Peter Gethin | 31y 06m 15d | Italy 1971 |
161 | Jack McGrath | 31y 07m 22d | Indianapolis 1951 |
162 | Roberto Moreno | 31y 08m 10d | Japan 1990 |
163 | Jacques Laffite | 31y 08m 13d | Germany 1975 |
164 | Johnny Boyd | 31y 09m 11d | Indianapolis 1958 |
165 | Alberto Ascari | 31y 10m 08d | Monaco 1950 |
166 | Johnnie Parsons | 31y 10m 26d | Indianapolis 1950 |
167 | Willy Mairesse | 31y 11m 03d | Italy 1960 |
168 | Mike Hailwood | 32y 05m 08d | Italy 1972 |
169 | Damon Hill | 32y 06m 11d | Brazil 1993 |
170 | Mika Salo | 32y 08m 02d | Germany 1999 |
171 | Ludovico Scarfiotti | 32y 10m 17d | Italy 1966 |
172 | Peter Revson | 33y 00m 06d | South Africa 1972 |
173 | Patrick Tambay | 33y 00m 23d | Britain 1982 |
174 | Martin Brundle | 33y 01m 04d | France 1992 |
175 | Jack Brabham | 33y 01m 08d | Monaco 1959 |
176 | Ron Flockhart | 33y 02m 17d | Italy 1956 |
177 | Bob Anderson | 33y 03m 04d | Austria 1964 |
178 | Lucien Bianchi | 33y 06m 16d | Monaco 1968 |
179 | George Amick | 33y 07m 06d | Indianapolis 1958 |
180 | Bill Vukovich | 34y 05m 17d | Indianapolis 1953 |
181 | Mark Donohue | 34y 06m 01d | Canada 1971 |
182 | Paul Goldsmith | 34y 07m 28d | Indianapolis 1960 |
183 | Mike Parkes | 34y 09m 09d | France 1966 |
184 | Robert Manzon | 35y 02m 10d | Belgium 1952 |
185 | Art Cross | 35y 04m 06d | Indianapolis 1953 |
186 | Pedro de la Rosa | 35y 05m 13d | Hungary 2006 |
187 | Peter Whitehead | 35y 07m 20d | France 1950 |
188 | Harry Schell | 36y 01m 20d | Pescara 1957 |
189 | Roy Salvadori | 36y 02m 07d | Britain 1958 |
190 | Olivier Gendebien | 36y 05m 07d | Belgium 1960 |
191 | Maurice Trintignant | 36y 07m 21d | Belgium 1954 |
192 | Jean-Pierre Jabouille | 36y 09m 00d | France 1979 |
193 | Johnny Thomson | 37y 01m 21d | Indianapolis 1959 |
194 | Vittorio Brambilla | 37y 09m 06d | Austria 1975 |
195 | Nico Hulkenberg | 37y 10m 17d | Britain 2025 |
196 | Sam Hanks | 37y 10m 17d | Indianapolis 1952 |
197 | Rodger Ward | 38y 04m 20d | Indianapolis 1959 |
198 | Tony Bettenhausen | 38y 08m 18d | Indianapolis 1955 |
199 | Reg Parnell | 38y 10m 11d | Britain 1950 |
200 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 38y 10m 27d | Monaco 1950 |
201 | George Follmer | 39y 03m 02d | Spain 1973 |
202 | Paul Frere | 39y 04m 04d | Belgium 1956 |
203 | Lee Wallard | 39y 08m 22d | Indianapolis 1951 |
204 | Duane Carter | 40y 00m 25d | Indianapolis 1953 |
205 | Rudi Fischer | 40y 00m 29d | Switzerland 1952 |
206 | Dorino Serafini | 41y 01m 12d | Italy 1950 |
207 | Paul Russo | 41y 01m 20d | Indianapolis 1955 |
208 | Carlos Menditeguy | 41y 05m 03d | Argentina 1957 |
209 | John Love | 42y 00m 26d | South Africa 1967 |
210 | Luigi Villoresi | 42y 01m 01d | Belgium 1951 |
211 | Bill Holland | 42y 05m 12d | Indianapolis 1950 |
212 | Giuseppe Farina | 43y 06m 13d | Britain 1950 |
213 | Karl Kling | 43y 09m 18d | France 1954 |
214 | Mauri Rose | 44y 00m 04d | Indianapolis 1950 |
215 | Louis Rosier | 44y 06m 30d | Switzerland 1950 |
216 | Piero Taruffi | 44y 07m 15d | Switzerland 1951 |
217 | Felice Bonetto | 48y 03m 07d | Italy 1951 |
218 | Louis Chiron | 50y 09m 18d | Monaco 1950 |
219 | Luigi Fagioli | 51y 11m 04d | Britain 1950 |
Youngest drivers to start a race
Who are the youngest F1 drivers to ever start an F1 race? From teenage sensations to future world champions.
Pos. | Driver | Age | Place | Race |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen | 17 years, 166 days | Ret | 2015 Australian Grand Prix |
2 | Lance Stroll | 18 years, 148 days | Ret | 2017 Australian Grand Prix |
3 | Kimi Antonelli | 18 years, 202 days | 4th | 2025 Australian Grand Prix |
4 | Oliver Bearman | 18 years, 305 days | 7th | 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix |
5 | Lando Norris | 19 years, 124 days | 12th | 2019 Australian Grand Prix |
6 | Jaime Alguersuari | 19 years, 125 days | 15th | 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix |
7 | Mike Thackwell | 19 years, 182 days | Ret | 1980 Canadian Grand Prix |
8 | Ricardo Rodríguez | 19 years, 208 days | Ret | 1961 Italian Grand Prix |
9 | Fernando Alonso | 19 years, 218 days | 12th | 2001 Australian Grand Prix |
10 | Esteban Tuero | 19 years, 320 days | Ret | 1998 Australian Grand Prix |
The History of Formula 1 Driver Records
The first ‘official’ Formula 1 world championship race was on May 13, 1950, at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, a track formerly used as a Royal Air Force station during World War II. Since that first season in 1950, fans have witnessed records they thought could never be broken repeatedly smashed. It’s not surprising either, as drivers, who are athletes in their own right, continue to push the sport and what is achievable every year. Cars get progressively faster, requiring another level and approach to fitness and nutrition.
The 1950s and 1960s
The inaugural Formula 1 World Championship season in 1950 was the birth of a new era in motorsport. The early years saw the emergence of iconic drivers, and while records were beginning to take shape, several notable figures made their mark.
Who was the first F1 Champion?
The first season featured seven races, culminating in Alfa Romeo’s Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina claiming the first Drivers’ World Championship, narrowly beating his teammates Juan Manuel Fangio and Luigi Fagioli.
The following season, Farina’s teammate Juan Manuel Fangio went on to win his first Driver’s championship in 1951. Fangio didn’t stop there; he won no less than five titles over his career, with four more on the trot in 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957. To date, he remains one of only three drivers to have won five or more titles; only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have won more, with seven each.
Farino’s fellow Italian, Alberto Ascari, won his first championship in 1952, splitting Farino and Fangio. Mike Hawthorn for Ferrari rounded out the 1950s, winning the title in 1958, and Jack Brabham for Cooper in 1959.
British driver Sir Stirling Moss also featured heavily during this period of F1 history, and he is often considered one of the greatest drivers to have never won a World Championship. A hugely successful driver, Moss started 66 races, took 16 wins, and appeared on the podium 24 times. He drove for legendary teams such as Vanwall, Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Team Lotus and Cooper.
The 1970s and 1980s
Often referred to as the “Golden Era” of Formula 1, this is when F1 really started to make strides in technological advancements from teams understanding aerodynamics and pushing the boundaries of engine development.
In the mid-1970s, the sport saw legends like Niki Lauda, known for his tactical mind, clinch his first World Championship in 1975, while Lauda’s fierce rivalry with British driver James Hunt kept F1’s global appeal growing.
But this era was marred by tragic events. In 1976, at the Nürburgring circuit for the German Grand Prix, Niki Lauda’s car veered off track, crashing into an embankment and erupting into an inferno. The aftermath left Lauda severely scarred, losing part of his ear and eyelids and affecting his lungs. However, his determination to race was nothing short of remarkable. Missing just two races, Lauda made his comeback to F1, giving fans a climatic end to the season at the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix, where James Hunt narrowly edged out Lauda to take his one and only Drivers’ Championship.
Other notable records of the 1970s include Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, who held the record for the most pole positions at the time (6) in a single season in 1979. Sadly he would lose his life in a 140 mph (230 km/h) collision with Jochen Mass during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
As F1 progressed into the 1980s, another talent emerged in, “The Professor” Alain Prost. Prost would become a four-time world champion during his career that ended in 1993, and it was clear from early on that he was one of the most technically gifted drivers in F1 history. In 1983, he held the record that season and at that time for the most consecutive podium finishes, with 15.
The 1980s and early 1990s
Prost remained a heavyweight in F1 during the 1980s and early 1990s, a time dominated by his rivalry with another multiple-world champion, Ayrton Senna. With McLaren, Senna won titles in 1988, 1990, and 1991.
With two distinct driving styles; Prost’s fluid and technical drivers vs. Senna’s natural raw talent and pace, their rivalry produced some of the most memorable races in the sports history, as well as some of the most controversial.
Ayrton Senna was renowned for his qualifying pace, and he held the record for the most consecutive pole positions in the 1988 season, with eight on the trot. In contrast, Alain Prost’s consistency saw him hold the record for the most race victories (51) on retiring from F1 in 1993. It wasn’t until 2002 that Micahel Schumacher broke this record at the 2002 Belgian Grand Prix, where Schumacher won his 52nd Grand Prix. Prost ended his career with four titles, solidifying his legacy as one of F1’s all-time greats.
British drivers like Nigel Mansell, who won the championship in 1992, and later Damon Hill in 1996 also peppered this era with titles for Williams Racing, another successful team of the time.
The late 1990s and 2000s
McLaren saw a resurgence in the late 1990s, taking two tiles in 1998 and 1999 with Mika Häkkinen in an intense battle for the championship with Ferrari. Ferrari, at the time, was rebuilding under the new leadership of Jean Todt and driver Michael Schumacher.
At the start of the 2000s, Michael Schumacher stands head and shoulders above them all. After a breathtaking career with Scuderia Ferrari that saw him add five more titles to his career of two and totalling seven world titles, Schumacher took a bow in 2006. His legacy cemented him as possibly the greatest driver Formula 1 had ever witnessed. However, his passion for racing led Schumacher to return to the sport in 2010 with Team Mercedes. This three-year stint, however, couldn’t replicate his earlier monumental successes.
In the space between the era of Schumacher and the upcoming champions, an underdog story unfolded that captured the hearts of many. Brawn GP, a team rising from the ashes of Honda Racing F1 in 2009, took F1 by storm, securing the Constructors’ Championship. With Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello driving the team’s cars, Button clinched the 2009 Drivers’ World Championship. However, this meteoric rise was short-lived, as the team underwent a sale and reemerged as Mercedes GP the following year.
The 2010s to Present
Soon after, from 2010 to 2013, a young talent named Sebastian Vettel burst onto the scene. Driving for Red Bull Racing, he secured four consecutive Drivers’ Championships. His successes and German heritage led many in the F1 community to christen him the ‘next Schumacher’. Yet, the late 2000s and early 2010s were not solely the Vettel show. Several racers carved their niche during this period.
Lewis Hamilton, synonymous with brilliance in Formula 1, began his journey to greatness by becoming the youngest Drivers’ World Champion in 2008 at just 23. And he didn’t stop there. Over six years, from 2014 to 2020, Hamilton went on a title-winning spree, clinching six more championships. His relentless drive and talent have spurred conversations around whether he might surpass his Michael Schumacher record-equalling seven titles to solidify his position as potentially the most decorated driver in Formula 1 history.
Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable career has rewritten several record categories. He holds records for the most race victories, most podium finishes, most pole positions, consecutive points finishes, and wins at different circuits.
The 21st century also saw the rise of Max Verstappen, arguably one of Hamilton’s greatest rivals, who set the record for the youngest race winner; he was 18 years and 228 days old when he won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen would go on to clinch his maiden F1 Drivers’ title in 2021 and deny Lewis Hamilton a record eighth championship. With the 2022 season featuring one of the biggest updates in F1 history to the sport’s technical rules with the reintroduction of ground-effect cars, not seen since 1983, Red Bull Racing hit the ground running, dominating the era where Max Verstappen would win four consecutive Drivers’ Championships from 2021 to 2024 joining the elite all-time bests of the sport.
F1 Drivers Heights Revealed
Who is the tallest F1 driver? And who tips the scales as the lightest? Find out more with our complete guide to the F1 Drivers heights and weights. With only a helmet bobbing above the cockpit at 200+ mph, it’s hard to tell if you’re looking at a six-footer or someone who can comfortably ride the kiddie rollercoaster at a theme park. So, if you’ve ever wondered whether Max Verstappen could high-five George Russell eye-to-eye or how Yuki Tsunoda squeezes into an F1 car like a tailored suit—you’re in the right place.