Hamilton, Schumacher & Senna: Greatest F1 Drivers Of All Time

Formula 1 has seen a number of iconic race drivers jump in their fast-paced high-octane machines and race around the challenging circuits that each Grand Prix has to offer each season the competition takes place, however there are a number of racers who are simply above all of the rest.

Indeed, as of the 2021 season, there has been a total of 770 different Formula 1 drivers to have competed in the motorsport since its inception, with each of them having been provided with the privilege of being able to tour the world in their fast vehicles and race around some of the best race tracks the globe has ever seen.

However, given that there has been fewer than 800 individuals who have been able to get in the hot seat and competitively race around circuits such as Silverstone, Monaco, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, it shows that the sport requires an extremely talented person in order to ensure they can compete and be as successful as possible.

That is why there are a number of names that will continually appear on lists all over the internet in articles that have been produced trying to identify which of these drivers can be named amongst the best that the motorsport has ever been able to witness in action. We take a look at a number of them here and provide our own detailed list, as well (in no particular order).

Lewis Hamilton

When thinking about the greatest F1 driver in the modern era, Lewis Hamilton is one that has to be considered to be near the very top of the list, if not actually at the summit. The British driver has been able to accomplish everything in the sport and even achieve so much more, as he has broken a number of records.

After recently acquiring his 100th Grand Prix win in the race at the Russian GP in Sochi, Hamilton became the only driver to ever be able to pick up a three-figure win total in the sport, although he had eclipsed the likes of Michael Schumacher some time ago in this regard. Indeed, this performance will have made him the favorite for many in the race for the Drivers Championship, as punters will be looking to use their bet bonus on him beating his fierce rival, Max Verstappen, to the prize. In doing so, he would also go on to claim his eighth World Championship and his fifth in a row; thus providing just one of the many reasons why he is amongst the greatest F1 drivers ever.

Michael Schumacher

F1 race enthusiasts of a different era might have a German race driver who was known for racing around and obliterating the competition in a sparkly, red Ferrari as their greatest driver of all time and it would be hard to argue against them.

Michael Schumacher dominated the sport in the mid-90s and early-00s and was an individual that many looked up to as a role model for the sport, as well as an inspiration. A seven-time World Champion, many would have thought his records (including 91 total race wins) would have been impossible to break before Hamilton entered the scene, he simply had many of the best attributes that all racers desire in abundance: speed, focus, bravery, swagger and arrogance (of the right kind).

Although Hamilton perhaps embodies that and more, many will suggest that there is never going to be a racer like the German again, although his son, Mick Schumacher, will want to try and do his father proud whilst competing for Haas throughout the 2021 season and beyond.

Ayrton Senna

Arguably the greatest ever F1 driver not to have hailed from Europe, Ayrton Senna was one of the best motorsports had ever had the pleasure to witness during the late-80s and early 90s before tragedy struck.

The Brazilian had managed to win three World Championships (1988, 1990, 1991) as he formed an incredible rivalry with former McLaren teammate Alain Prost (another exceptional F1 driver). However, when racing for Williams (after a stint with Ferrari) in 1994, he tragically lost his life in the San Marino Grand Prix when he was involved in a high-speed crash.

Despite the fact that he saw his life end so prematurely, his legacy continues to remain within the racing world due to the outstanding performances he managed to produce whilst on the track for the various teams he represented and is one that many who have entered the sport and wish to do so continue to look up to as an inspirational figure.