The top 10 drivers of Formula 1 are very subjective. Everyone has their favorite driver but statistically, a driver can be better than the others. The best F1 driver in history is a debate that has and will continue to rage if the sport exists.
The top 10 is based on the number of championships, the races won and the overall impact of their career. The statistics vary depending on the generation of the drivers.
10. Jim Clark – 25 wins
- World Championships: 2 (1963, 1965)
- Total races: 72
- races won: 25
- Pole positions: 33
Jim Clark was the limelight of racing during his time from 1962-1965. He won two championship titles with Lotus and had the record for the most wins (25) after his death. The Scottish driver won the Indianapolis 500 in 1965 with Lotus, making him the first non-American winning the race in 49 years.
9. Jackie Stewart – 27 wins
- World Championships: 3 (1969, 1971, 1973)
- Total races: 99
- Number of races won: 27
- Pole positions: 17
Jackie Stewart was one of the few drivers to prove that the drivers should strive for safety standards. He was fairly known to change the safety culture in sport. Stewart was a key pioneer in the introduction of full-face helmets, seatbelts, travelling medical units, safety barriers, runoff areas and more.
8. Nigel Mansell – 31 wins
- World Championships: 1 (1992)
- Total races: 187
- Number of races won: 31
- Pole positions: 32
Nigel Mansell was Formula 1’s “unlucky” driver. His career came with too many 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 the championship at second place three times, missing out the title by only two points in 1986.
7. Fernando Alonso – 32 wins
- World Championships: 2 (2005-06)
- Total races: 424
- Number of races won: 32
- Pole positions: 22
Fernando Alonso, Spanish racer is known for his fearsome driving and aggressiveness on the track with two championship titles. Alonso spent his career with two generations of drivers. The Spaniard has made his achievements with numerous teams in his ongoing career.
6. Ayrton Senna – 41 wins
- World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990-91)
- Total races: 161
- Number of races won: 41
- Pole positions: 65
One of the motorsport’s more legendary figures. Ayrton Senna’s stats of his racing career have been iconic. His depth of commitment to a lap and his constant desire to push the boundaries were inspirational even to the other drivers. The Brazilian driver died on May 1, 1994, after he crashed into a concrete barrier during the San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola circuit. His accident was an extreme fatality and the most brutal death of the motorsport.
5. Alain Prost – 51 wins
- World Championships: 4 (1985-86, 1989, 1993)
- Total races: 199
- Number of races won: 51
- Pole positions: 33
Alain Prost drove in Senna’s generation, having a diligent skill allowing him to up against Senna. He possessed a natural skill of brainpower along with speed that kept him on the tracks. He beat Jackie Stewart’s record of 27 wins in 1986 and a year later McLaren won 15 out of 16 races.
4. Sebastian Vettel – 53 wins
- World Championships: 4 (2010-13)
- Total races: 300
- Number of races won: 53
- Pole positions: 57
The German racer was known for his four consecutive Formula 1 championships with Red Bull racing from 2010-2013) and the youngest quadruple champion at the age of 26. 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. He was known for his aggressive braking.
3. Max Verstappen – 65 wins
- World Championships: 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Total races: 218
- Number of races won: 65
- Pole positions: 43
The Dutch driver is known for his aggressive, yet precise wheel to wheel racing. His racing is described as “impressive car control and extracting maximum performance on the track”. He stands as an excellent dominant competitor to his rivals giving them a nice edge.
2. Michael Schumacher – 91 wins
- World Championships: 7 (1994-95, 2000-04)
- Number of races: 308
- Number of races won: 91
- Pole positions: 68
Michael Schumacher stands as the best driver there ever existed in F1 sport. Even though stats might not be in the lead, he was the most feared driver in his prime. He was well known for his time in Ferrari in 1996. The German driver was known for his aggressive style that involved late braking and an ability to maintain quicks speed at sharp corners.
1. Lewis Hamilton – 105 wins
- World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014-15, 2017-20)
- Total races: 365
- Number of races won: 105
- Pole positions: 104
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 has taken wins in 30 different countries, won a race in almost every season he’s competed in, and is currently tied on world championships with Micheal Schumacher.
Written by: Atin Kevin