Ranking the best F1 drivers in history is by no means an easy job – in fact, this aspect always stirs endless debate as everyone has their own biases and perspectives. And the truth is that there really isn’t a definitive answer, especially given that the sport isn’t the same as it was in 1950 when the first F1 season was organized. Now, the cars are different, and so are the tracks and the amount of races. While in 1950, the series included just seven races (where the Indianapolis 500 was a points-paying event), nowadays, the drivers compete across 22 grand prix all across the world.
Besides, cars have become faster, and more is now expected from the drivers as the competition level has increased significantly. So, how can one determine the best drivers in F1? It’s indeed tough to make a list, but statistically, some drivers stand out for their impressive number of wins and races.
Lewis Hamilton
When it comes to total career points, there’s no doubt that Lewis Hamilton is at the top of the list. He is the best F1 driver to ever grace a circuit, and he has experienced wins in 30 different countries, emerging victorious nearly every season in which he has competed. Hamilton holds many records in the history of Formula 1, and although he missed becoming champion in the first season by just one point, he succeeded in becoming the youngest world champion at that time, only a year after. Fourteen years later, Hamilton is stealing the spotlight in the F1 world – so far, he has secured six more titles and is now on the hunt for the eight. Prior to karting, Hamilton used to beat adults to championships as a kid while racing remote controlled cars. He showcased the same exceptional performance in karting and remained the only F1 driver to record more than 100 pole positions and race wins. As expected, the F1 calendar 2024 will feature Hamilton, too, and it will be exciting to see him standing at the top of the podium again through a new victory.
Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher comes to mind right away when considering the best F1 driver – after all, he was the face of domination in F1 until Hamilton started to stand out with its incredible performances. Schumacher had five consecutive titles and saw an insurmountable number of wins, changing the game in the F1 world with his passion, raw talent, and remarkable dedication. While the F1 driver took two titles with Benetton, his most impressive performance was with Ferrari. Schumacher joined the team in 1996, and after experiencing highs and lows in the next few years, what followed were 48 impressive wins, five world titles, and a record book that turned Schumacher into a legend of the F1 world. His best-ever season was in 2004, when among the first 13 Grands Prix, he won 12. Unfortunately, in December 2013, the F1 driver suffered a severe skiing accident while he was on a family holiday, which led to a medically induced coma. Ever since that time, Schumacher has been out of the public eye and his health condition has remained private.
Max Verstappen
Another legend of F1 is Max Verstappen, who only spent a year in car racing before he made his debut in Formula 1. At the moment, Verstappen is experiencing a time of absolute supremacy on the F1 scene, as this is the third consecutive year when he was named world champion. He is the youngest driver in the history of Formula 1 – and the youngest winner, too, as he successfully scored his first triumph when he was just 18 years old at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. Although Verstappen had to wait until he was 24 to win his first world title, he hasn’t looked back since that time, so far, the F1 driver has had 201 races and 61 wins, and there’s a good chance he will keep dominating the F1 news by breaking just about all records in the books if he keeps his current trajectory.
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna has won a special place in motorsport fans' hearts due to his raw talent, charisma, and continuous desire to push boundaries. Senna started racing go-karts at age 13, and successfully beat competitors older than him. He also carried that level of excellence in F1 racing, and his biggest successes happened with McLaren, where he developed an intense rivalry with Alain Prost. The two dominated the 1988 F1 season, but in 1990, Prost moved to Ferrari, which meant he would no longer win the championship mathematically, and it was Sena who received a second title. Senna claimed a record of 65 pole positions in his career, and he gained an edge rarely seen due to its combination of restless ambition and natural speed. In 1994, he raced with Williams, but sadly, he lost his life in a tragic high-speed crash that happened in the San Marino Grand Prix. While the F1 world undoubtedly lost a great legend prematurely, his legacy will never be forgotten, as he was the hero of an entire driver’s generation.
Sebastian Vettel
Vettel’s karting career started when he was only 8, and his performance was so impressive that he was promoted to the Red Bull Junior Team three years later. Although Vettel’s form slowed at the end of his career, the F1 driver was unbeatable at certain times, as he succeeded in taking nine podiums and five wins, which was only the beginning of what would come. In the next following years, Vettel became F1’s face, experiencing four consecutive victories in championships and taking the accolade from Hamilton as he became the youngest world champion. Vettel’s career might have ended in relative mediocrity two years ago, but he is considered one of the sport’s greatest drivers who has inspired many, not only because of what he did on the track but also because he was among the few drivers who had the courage to stand up for more than himself, using his voice to advocate for environmental and human rights.
The bottom line
Becoming a successful F1 driver isn’t easy, but these racers have proven that anything is possible with commitment to one’s passion. They represent the pinnacle of talent in the F1 world, and each of them has left an indelible mark on the sport, with their impressive achievement and skills.