Formula 1 has always been about speed, precision, and consistency, and success is often measured by consistency as much as by victories. A podium finish, earned by placing in the top three, is a benchmark that separates great drivers from the rest. Over the years, a select group of drivers have turned this achievement into a habit, showcasing their dominance across seasons.
7. Kimi Räikkönen: 103 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: Finland
- Career: 2001–2009, 2012–2021
- World Drivers’ Championships: 2007
- Wins: 21
- Teams: Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa Romeo
Famously nicknamed as “the Iceman”, Raikkonen was a man of few words. The silent speedster knew exactly what he was doing, pushing his F1 cars to their maximum speed. In 2007, he replaced the departing seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. He was seen grinning at last after winning the 2007 World Drivers’ Championship by a single point.
6. Fernando Alonso*: 106 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: Spain
- Career: 2001, 2003–2018, 2021–Present
- World Drivers’ Championships: 2005, 2006
- Wins: 22
- Teams: Aston Martin, Renault, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, Minardi
Fernando Alonso holds the prestige of toppling the Ferrari legend, Michael Schumacher from his F1 throne. A talent, as soon as he touched the track, he was once F1’s youngest polesitter, race winner, world champion and double world champion. He has since become the first man to reach 400 Grand Prix starts.
5. Alain Prost: 106 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: France
- Career: 1980-1991, 1993
- World Drivers’ Championships: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993
- Wins: 51
- Teams: McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, Williams
He made his F1 debut for McLaren at the 1980 Argentine Grand Prix, placing in the top six and scoring points in his first-ever race. Since then, he’s gone on to become one of the most decorated F1 drivers, winning four World Drivers’ Championships.
His rivalry with Ayrton Senna will be greatly remembered by F1 fans for bringing out the best and worst in them both. The pair eventually became friends with a mutual admiration for each other, after Prost’s announcement to retire at the end of the 1993 season.
4. Max Verstappen*: 118 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Career: 2015-Present
- World Drivers’ Championships: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Wins: 65
- Teams: Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing
He introduced himself as the youngest F1 driver to enter a Grand Prix in F1 history, at only 17 years, 5 months, 13 days. In his first race with Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, he became the youngest-ever Formula One race winner at 18 years and 228 days old.
Max Verstappen won his first World Drivers’ Championship in a controversial yet legendary final-round showdown with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. The Dutchman followed that up with a powerhouse title defence in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
3. Sebastian Vettel: 122 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: Germany
- Career: 2007–2022
- World Drivers’ Championships: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Wins: 53
- Teams: BMW Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari, Aston Martin
Sebastian Vettel’s first championship, at the age of 23, makes him the youngest ever world champion in Formula One history. There were signs that there was surely more to follow up on the Germans’ achievement.
He went on to dominate the tournament for several more years and was crowned champion four years in a row. He is one of the most successful drivers in F1’s history; his success spanned different teams, including Red Bull and Ferrari, where he remained a regular contender at the front.
2. Michael Schumacher: 155 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: Germany
- Career: 1991-2006, 2010-2012
- World Drivers’ Championships: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
- Wins: 91
- Teams: Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, Mercedes
The seven time champion, Michael Schumacher holds nearly every scoring record in the book by a considerable margin. Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 campaign, at the time he had 91 F1 Grand Prix race victories. This shattered the previous record of 51, held by French driver Alain Prost. He returned to the F1 for the 2010 season with Mercedes, however he never won a race and never finished higher than eighth in the overall F1 standings.
1. Lewis Hamilton: 202 F1 Podium Finishes
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Career: 2007-Present
- World Drivers’ Championships: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Wins: 105
- Teams: McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton delivered his first title in his sophomore F1 season after kicking off a ferocious rivalry with McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso in 2007. Aged just 23 years and 300 days, he’s the second-youngest champion after Sebastian Vettel. A prodigious talent, Lewis Hamilton became the first black driver in the sports history.
He has since amassed over 200 podiums alongside seven World Championships, equaling Michael Schumacher’s title record. Should Hamilton seal another title with Ferrari, he will also go down as the oldest F1 champion.
Conclusion
Podiums may not always grab the headlines like race wins, but they remain a true measure of class and consistency. The top five on this list represent different eras of Formula 1, yet all share a legacy of excellence that shaped the sport. Their records stand as benchmarks for future generations, reminding everyone of their sustained success.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
