Formula 1, like many other sports, is a game of stats and skills. For the most part, the player at the top of the list is also the most popular and well-loved, but that may not always be the case. In fact, you may even feel indifferent towards the player at the top of our F1 list.
Also, keep in mind, we are considering the stats here. We are not discussing GOAT status, so hold off on any of your more hardline opinions about who is the GOAT when it comes to Formula 1.
For now, let us present to you, the best Formula 1 drivers in history. Based on the number of World Championships theyve won, the number of races theyve been in, and a few more important factors.
1 Lewis Hamilton
World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014-15, 2017-20)
Number of races: 310
Number of wins: 103
Number of pole positions: 103
Career points: 4415.5
For all that he has achieved and for all that he seemingly stands for and for being the only black racer in Formula 1, you might be shaking your head and wondering why he seems to be a polarizing figure.
He is popular enough, that’s for sure, and he has tons of fans. He won in 30 different countries and has won in almost every season hes driven in. At the moment, he is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most World Championships at 7.
To say that he is good is an understatement. Plus, he has had great teams and even more impressive machines behind him.
And although the appearance of Max Verstappen has put a damper on his hopes of winning an 8th, he is still chugging along as one of the most important, although not necessarily the most popular driver in the sport.
2 Michael Schumacher
World Championships: 7 (1994-95, 2000-04)
Number of races: 308
Number of wins: 91
Number of pole positions: 68
Career points: 1566
Michael Schumacher has the levels of popularity that every racing driver dreams of. He was a Formula 1 God in the 1990s and early 2000s. His name and the Ferrari team became synonymous with the sport. This was also during the advent of easier access to international broadcasting, which pushed his popularity even further.
Even kids in non-English speaking countries who knew of F1 had one unanimous favorite and that is Schumacher. He was the sport.
In his active career, Schumacher won 7 championships, 5 of them won back-to-back from 2000 to 2004. He has also won many awards and accolades.
He is a brilliant driver, to say the least, and for the longest time, he was considered the F1 GOAT.
3 Sebastian Vettel
World Championships: 4 (2010-13)
Number of races: 300
Number of wins: 53
Number of pole positions: 57
Career points: 3098
Vettel has 4 World Championships and he won those back-to-back from 2010 to 2013. In that period, he was the driver to beat and he was unbeatable.
In 2010, he became the youngest World Champion with his first win, taking that record away from Hamilton. Vettel also holds the records for the most wins in a season, the most podium finishes in a season, the most laps led in a season, the most pole positions in a season, and more.
Unfortunately for him and his team, he and his team did not cope well with the changes to regulation in 2014 and they fell back significantly.
4 Alain Prost
World Championships: 4 (1985-86, 1989, 1993)
Number of races: 199
Number of wins: 51
Number of pole positions: 33
Career points: 768.5
Prost started racing in the 1980 Argentinian Grand Prix. In his career, he has won 4 World Championships and has been in 199 races.
He was known for his meticulous style that allowed him to go toe-to-toe with another great Ayrton Sena. The two were known for their feud. At 38 years old, he won his fourth World Championship. This was in 1993.
5 Aryton Senna
World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990-91)
Number of races: 161
Number of wins: 41
Number of pole positions: 65
Career points: 610
The man in what many have called a bitter rivalry against Alain Prost is Aryton Senna. He started his career in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix. He has three Championship titles.
He was known for his raw talent and charisma as well as the drive to push the boundaries. Even almost three decades after his death, his talent, and his car are still talked about on the regular.
6 Max Verstappen
World championships: 2 (2021, 2022)
Number of races: 164
Number of wins: 36
Number of pole positions: 21
Career points: 2036.5
A young driver takes our Number 6 stop. Someone who Hamilton would probably consider a thorn in his side. Max Verstappen made his debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. He has since won 2 World Championships back-to-back in 2021 and 2022 with 2022 being particularly contentious.
He is the son of Jos Verstappen and just had one year of car racing experience before he started racing F1. He has 36 wins and has had 21 pole positions.
7 Fernando Alonzo
World Championships: 2 (2005-06)
Number of races: 359
Number of wins: 32
Number of pole positions: 22
Career points: 2076
At number 7 is another Formula 1 legend. Alonzo started racing in 2001 and made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
The two-time world champion is known for being an aggressive racer. He has raced for McLaren and Ferrari. He was stuck with McLaren during their disastrous partnership with Honda that saw Alonzo miss out on some big opportunities.
He has not had the best luck, even when he started racing for Alpine. Despite not being the luckiest driver out there, he still managed to take home 2 championships and a total of 32 wins.
8 Nigel Mansell
World Championships: 1 (1992)
Number of races: 187
Number of wins: 31
Number of pole positions: 32
Career points: 482
Nigel Mansell made his debut in the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix. Like Alonso, he is considered as of the unlucky drivers in F1. He was dogged by many issues throughout his professional career. Despite all his issues though, he managed to win the 1992 World Championship.
9 Jackie Stewart
World Championships: 3 (1969, 1971, 1973)
Number of races: 99
Number of wins: 27
Number of pole positions: 17
Career points: 360
Jackie Stewart turned pro in 1965 during the South African Grand Prix. He has since become an integral part of F1 but even as a driver, he was a force to be reckoned with. He had as three World Championships to his name and he has only been in 99 races. He has 27 wins in total and has made it to 17 pole positions.
He was also one of the first racers to fight for better safety in race cars. He pioneered the use of full-face helmets, safety barriers, seat belts, runoff areas, traveling medical units, and more.
10 Niki Lauda
World Championships: 3 (1975, 1977, 1984)
Number of races: 171
Number of wins: 25
Number of pole positions: 24
Career points: 420.5
Nikki Lauda started his career in F1 as a pay driver but despite that, he was able to prove that he was worth his mettle as shown by his three World Championships.
In total, he was in 171 races and had 25 wins. He has also had 24 pole positions.
