What makes a Formula 1 driver the greatest of all time? Is it the number of World Drivers’ Championships they have? Is it how often they stand at the top of the podium? Or is it the records they leave behind even when their racing days are over?
Success is determined by all of those factors and more. It’s difficult to compare F1 drivers who’ve competed across very different racing eras with different rules and cars. But when it comes to actual measurable success, there are ten drivers that stand out among the rest.
We’ve ranked the top ten F1 drivers of all time, each of which brought the speed, the performance, and racing legacies that’ll be remembered for generations.
What Makes Formula 1 Drivers Great?
Success in F1 racing is about more than outright speed. The greatest drivers have incredible racecraft, consistency, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure. Yes, the championships, race wins, podiums, and pole positions all give us an idea about who’s the best.
But it’s how they achieved those things in the circumstances they were in that really makes a driver exceptional.
So, who is the greatest F1 driver of all time? We’ve ranked them based on their number of World Drivers’ Championships and Grand Prix victories, not including Sprint races.
10. Nelson Piquet – The Calculated Brazilian Champion
World Championships: 3 (1981, 1983, 1987)
Grand Prix Wins: 23
Nelson Piquet claimed his first two championships with Brabham F1 team before securing his third with Williams in 1987, beating Nigel Mansell to the title. Piquet was known for combining outright speed with his own clever approach to racing and car development, always working closely with the team. In the end, the Brazilian champion won 23 Grand Prix victories before retiring in 1991.
9. Niki Lauda – The Comeback King
World Championships: 3 (1975, 1977, 1984)
Grand Prix Wins: 25
Niki Lauda is one of the most inspirational drivers in F1 history. In the year following his debut World Drivers’ Championship in 1975, he was involved in a near-fatal accident at the Nürburgring. Instead of letting fear take over, Lauda returned to racing just a few weeks later and proceeded to win another title in 1977. He retired for a few years but came right back to eventually win his third title in 1984.
8. Jackie Stewart – One of F1’s Earliest Greats
World Championships: 3 (1969, 1971, 1973)
Grand Prix Wins: 27
Sir Jackie Stewart has set his place in history with three championship wins and 27 total Grand Prix victories. His record speaks for itself, but his legacy stretches much further than any number of trophies show. He was constantly in pursuit of improved safety in Formula 1, always campaigning for better circuit conditions and driver safety. His efforts have persisted for generations and helped make better racing for drivers today.
7. Ayrton Senna – Speed, Skill, and an Enduring Legacy
World Championships: 3 (1988, 1990, 1991)
Grand Prix Wins: 41
When you ask a fan who their favourite driver is or ask an F1 driver who they aspire to be, you’ll often hear them mention Ayrtron Senna. His legacy carries a lot of weight in the Formula 1 world, and not just because of his championships and race wins. He has an extraordinary qualifying speed, wet-weather performances like no other, and a fierce rivalry with Alain Prost that made him one of the most celebrated drivers in history. Tragically, Senna’s life was cut short after an accident at Imola in 1994. So, there’s no telling what greatness he could have achieved.
6. Alain Prost – The Professor
World Championships: 4 (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993)
Grand Prix Wins: 51
Alain Prost was affectionately known as “the Professor” for his calculated, rule-abiding approach to racing. His years as Senna’s rival became one of the defining stories of the sport and may have pushed him to work harder. However, Prost’s own intelligence, consistency, and ability to manage a race are just as important to his success. After all, with four championships and 51 Grand Prix wins to his name, there’s no doubt he is one of the best drivers out there.
5. Sebastian Vettel – Four Consecutive Titles and a Voice Beyond the Track
World Championships: 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Grand Prix Wins: 53
Sebastian Vettel is one of the most beloved F1 drivers ever. He became the youngest world champion in F1 history in 2010 and went on to win four consecutive titles with Red Bull Racing. He later has a less successful stint in Ferrari and decided to retire after the 2022 season, but that doesn’t take away from his achievements. To this day, Vettel continues to use the legacy he built to speak on important environmental and social issues that go beyond motorsport.
4. Max Verstappen – Modern Day Dominance
World Championships: 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Grand Prix Wins: 71
Modern day Formula 1 has rarely seen a talent as mighty as Max Verstappen. Verstappen joined F1 at just 17 years old and has since built one of the most dominant records of the modern era, winning four consecutive championships between 2021 and 2024. His record-breaking 2023 campaign is what truly sets him apart from the rest. In that season, he won 19 out of 23 races. The remaining three were won by his teammate Sergio Perez (2) and the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race that season, Carlos Sainz (1).
3. Juan Manuel Fangio – F1’s First Legendary Champion
World Championships: 5 (1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957)
Grand Prix Wins: 24
The first ever Formula 1 race was held in 1950, and Juan Manuel Fangio began his winning run just a year later in 1951 when he won his first title. He completely dominated the early years of the sport, gaining five championship wins with four different teams, and taking 24 total Grand Prix victories. His raw skill was undeniable. His record as the only five-time world champion stood for 46 years until Michael Schumacher managed to surpass it.
2. Michael Schumacher – Ferrari’s Greatest F1 Champion
World Championships: 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Grand Prix Wins: 91
There are good drivers, great drivers, and there are drivers who are just plain unstoppable. Michael Schumacher was one of them. He started his historic career with two championship wins with Benneton F1 team before moving on to create Ferrari’s greatest dynasty ever. Because of Schumacher, who won five titles with the team, Ferrari has become one of the most successful teams in history. Schumacher held many of F1’s biggest records for years, even after his retirement.
1. Lewis Hamilton – Record-Breaking Success
World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Grand Prix Wins: 106
Nobody thought Schumacher’s records would ever be broken. That was until someone named Lewis Hamilton came on the scene. Fans around the world call him the G.O.A.T., in other words, the greatest of all time. He’s tied Schumacher’s championships with seven wins but sits on 106 Grand Prix victories and 104 pole positions. What started as being the first Black driver to win an F1 race, shifted to the most successful of all time and one who continues to advocate for inclusivity and fairness in the sport.
His legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
Follow Formula 1 Greats in the Making on playTSOGO
These Formula 1 legends have already cemented themselves in history, but it doesn’t stop there. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are currently active on the grid. So, these two champions are still racing for new wins and titles every week. However, each season creates an opportunity for new drivers to demonstrate their talents.
Who knows who the next F1 champion will be. But you can get close and personal with the action and start your Formula 1 betting experience with playTSOGO. From championships and Grand Prix wins to pole positions and more, our F1 markets are ready for the taking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is considered the greatest F1 driver of all time?
There is no single way to determine the greatest driver. If you go by championship wins, Lewis Hamilton and Michaeal Schumacher are tied for the greatest drivers. However, Lewis Hamilton has the most Grand Prix victories.
Which F1 driver has won the most consecutive championships?
Michael Schumacher still holds the record for the most consecutive championships, winning five in a row from 2000 to 2004.
Who is the youngest F1 world champion?
Sebastian Vettel is still considered the youngest ever Formula 1 world champion at 23 years and 133 days old.
Who has the most pole positions in F1?
Lewis Hamilton has the most pole positions with 104.
