Ranking the 11 Best Formula 1 Drivers of All Time Lewis Hamilton and Others 

Formula 1 is one of the most popular and competitive sports in the world, with some of the best drivers ever competing for glory. Who are these drivers? Who holds the title of being statistically the best driver in Formula 1 history? This article examines and ranks 11 of the greatest F1 drivers ever based on their statistical accomplishments. From Michael Schumacher’s record-breaking seven titles to Lewis Hamilton’s recent domination, we’ll explore these legends’ successes on track. So join us as we count down who has been crowned statistically as one of Formula 1 top 11 all-time greats!

1. Lewis Hamilton

2. Michael Schumacher

3. Sebastian Vettel

4. Alain Prost

5. Ayrton Senna

6. Max Verstappen

7. Fernando Alonso

8. Nigel Mansell

9. Jackie Stewart

10. Niki Lauda

11. Jim Clark

Lewis Hamilton – 103 wins

I started racing in 2007 at the Australian Grand Prix. Since then, I have won 7 World Championships in 2008, 2014-2015, and 2017-2020. In my career, I have participated in 318 races and won in 103 of them, and achieved pole position in 103 races as well. Moreover, my career points add up to 4507.5.

Lewis Hamilton is considered the greatest Formula 1 driver ever in terms of career wins and total career points. He holds numerous records in the sport, and has won races in 30 different countries, and almost every season he has competed in. He is currently tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world championships, and despite narrowly missing out on an eighth title in 2021 to Max Verstappen, he is expected to continue breaking records with his contract running until the end of 2023.

• Athlete category: Race Car Drivers

• Net worth: $285 million

• Salary: $50 million per year

• Birthdate: January 7, 1985 (currently 38 years old)

• Birthplace: Stevenage, UK

• Gender: Male

• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.74 meters)

• Profession: Race car driver and voice actor

• Nationality: British

In his first season, he narrowly missed becoming champion by one point. However, he was able to become the youngest world champion the next year. He has since won six more titles and is currently striving for an eighth, fourteen years later.

What is Lewis Hamilton’s Net Worth?

Lewis Hamilton, a British Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, has a net worth of $285 million. At the age of 10, he approached Ron Dennis, the McLaren racing team principal, and expressed his desire to race for McLaren in the future. This was a bold move for a young driver.

After three years, he joined the McLaren/Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Programme. 12 years later, he started racing for McLaren in Formula One. He now holds several major Formula One records. In his debut season, he won 4 races, scored the most points, and set the record for most pole positions and consecutive podium finishes. In 2007, he became the youngest driver to lead the World Championship at the age of 22 years, 4 months, and 6 days.

Lewis Hamilton left McLaren in late 2012 and has been racing exclusively for Mercedes-Benz since then. He is widely considered as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport and is also one of the highest-paid F1 drivers in the world. His typical yearly earnings amount to $50 million, primarily from his $40 million annual contract with Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton Net Worth$285 Million

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, was born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. His parents, Carmen (caucasian) and Anthony (black) separated when he was two. He lived with his mom and half-sisters until he was 12 and then with his dad, stepmother, and half-brother Nicolas. Due to bullying at school, he began practicing karate for self-defense when he was five. At the age of six, his dad bought him a radio-controlled car.

Hamilton came in second at the British Radio Car Association championship the year after receiving a go-kart from his dad as a Christmas present when he was six years old. Anthony Hamilton made a promise to assist his son’s racing career, provided that he remained in school and performed well in his academic endeavors. Lewis attended The John Henry Newman School, a Catholic secondary institution in Hertfordshire, where he played soccer and prioritized his studies. Beginning in early 2001, he enrolled in Cambridge Arts and Sciences for further education.

Hamilton began his career in 1998 by joining the McLaren young driver program

After years of hard work, he became an official Formula One McLaren driver in 2007. Notably, he is the sole black race car driver in the history of F1. In the 2007 season, he finished as the second-best driver, only behind Kimi Räikkönen. The following year he dramatically won his first Formula 1 world championship, winning the title in the final race of the season and acquiring new sponsors 1xBet takes part in co-financing the racer and accepts bets in India online casino game on his win at the betting company 1xCorp N.V.

In 2013, Hamilton signed to drive for Mercedes

He won the World Championships titles consecutively in 2014 and 2015. He then won back-to-back titles again in 2017 and 2018, and once again in 2019. At present, Hamilton has won seven World Championships, equalling Michael Schumacher’s record.

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton collaborated with American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger to launch his clothing line TOMMYXLEWIS during New York Fashion Week. The launch featured models Winnie Harlow and Hailey Baldwin. Despite his actions on the track and remarks off of it causing controversy in the past, Hamilton remains in the public spotlight and his words are often analyzed.

During a race in Spain, some Spanish supporters subjected him to racial abuse because of his intense rivalry with Spanish driver Fernando Alonso. Hamilton acknowledges his competitiveness may cause tension with other drivers.

Just prior to the 2018 German Grand Prix, Hamilton secured a two-year contract extension with Mercedes worth almost $50 million annually.

Hamilton announced in June 2020 that he would drive a new, all-black Mercedes in support of Black Lives Matter. He has spoken out about the lack of diversity in Formula One racing. Hamilton designed the car, which he named the Black Arrow. It premiered in Austria over the 4th of July weekend, as the delayed Formula One season began.

The technical regulations underwent significant changes in 2022, resulting in new car designs and a challenging season. Despite registering nine podium finishes, Hamilton was unable to secure a race victory or a pole position for the first time in his Formula One career.

In November 2007, Hamilton began a romantic relationship with Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the American girl band, the Pussycat Dolls. In early 2010, they decided to break up in order to focus on their individual careers. However, they were seen together at the Turkish and Canadian Grands Prix later that same year. From 2011 to 2015, they had an on-and-off relationship before ultimately ending things for good in February 2015.

It has been rumored that after ending his relationship with Scherzinger, he dated Rihanna, whom he had been friends with for a long time. Additionally, he was rumored to have dated Rita Ora, Miss Finland Lotta Hinsa, Miss Grenada 2007 Vivian Burkhardt, model Winnie Harlow, Hungarian model Barbara Palvin, and Sofia Richie. He was also romantically linked to Nicki Minaj, and the two even went on a romantic vacation together in Dubai.

Lewis Hamilton’s dietary preference is vegan. Some MPs have criticized him for not paying U.K. taxes as he lives outside the country. Hamilton was named after the Olympian sprinter, Carl Lewis. He would have pursued football or cricket if not for his career in Formula One, as he is an Arsenal fan and played both sports in high school. Recently, Hamilton announced that he is legally changing his name to include his mother’s maiden name as a middle name.

Hamilton launched Team X44 in September 2022 to compete in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E. The team finished second in the inaugural Extreme E championship and won the Extreme E Sustainability Award in January 2022. In the 2022 Championship, they won after RXR was disqualified from the race.

Additionally, in 2022, Hamilton became a member of the newly-established ownership group of the Denver Broncos.

Lewis Hamilton’s earnings from endorsements and prize money were approximately $50 million between June 2016 and June 2017. The following year, from June 2017 to June 2018, he earned $51 million, and in the 12 months after that, he earned $55 million. Hamilton was also the wealthiest British sportsperson in 2015 and is currently the best-paid driver in Formula One history.

Hamilton listed his New York penthouse for $57 million in 2019 located in the same Tribeca building that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Meg Ryan, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Bella Hadid live in. The 8,900-square-foot unit is the largest penthouse loft in the building which he purchased for $43.9 million in 2017. In December 2021, Hamilton sold the property for $50 million. He reportedly never lived in the unit possibly because he owns another penthouse located not far away at 70 Vestry Street, which he bought for $40.7 million in 2019.

Hamilton has a $25 million, 1860-built, six bedroom mansion with four floors located in Kensington, West London. Apart from that, he also owns apartments in Nyon, a suburb of Geneva, Switzerland and in Monaco. Hamilton also has an estate in Colorado where he intends to live after his retirement.

Michael Schumacher – 91 wins

Schumacher’s debut race was at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. He won the World Championships seven times, in 1994-95 and 2000-04. His career lasted for 308 races, during which he won 91 times and achieved 68 pole positions. In total, he earned 1566 career points.

Michael Schumacher is often considered one of the best F1 drivers. He held the record for the most championships won, with five consecutive titles, until Hamilton broke it. Schumacher was known for his numerous wins, competitive nature, and skill, which revolutionized the sport.

Although he won two titles with Benetton, he is better known for his time with Ferrari. He began racing for Ferrari in 1996 and after some ups and downs, he won the championship in 2000. Over the next five years, he won five world titles, 48 races, and set multiple records. Though his second stint in F1 was not as successful, he did earn one more podium finish to add to his already impressive record of 91 wins, 155 podiums, and 68 pole positions.

Sebastian Vettel – 53 wins

Vettel participated in 300 races since his first race in 2007 at the United States Grand Prix. Sebastian won 53 races and achieved 57 pole positions. Additionally, I have won 4 World Championships from 2010 to 2013 and have earned 3098 career points.

Although Sebastian Vettel’s performance in Formula 1 declined towards the end of his career, he was once an unstoppable force.

Vettel started his F1 career in 2007. In his first three years, he won five races and stood on the podium nine times. However, his success was just beginning. Over the next four years, he won four consecutive championships, becoming the youngest world champion and breaking records for most wins, podiums, pole positions, laps led, consecutive wins, consecutive grand slams, and most wins from pole position in a season.

The regulation changes in 2014 did not benefit Red Bull or Vettel. As a result, the team’s performance suffered, and Vettel’s winning streak ended. After winning nine consecutive races in 2013, he did not win a single race until 2015. Since then, he has won only 14 races. Nevertheless, he was considered one of the best drivers on the grid until he retired at the end of the 2022 season, and his impressive records are expected to remain unbroken for a long time.

Alain Prost – 51 wins

Alain participated in his first race in the Argentinian Grand Prix of 1980. He won a total of 4 world championships, which were in 1985-86, 1989, and 1993. Over the course of his career, he competed in 199 races, won 51 of them, and achieved 33 pole positions. He earned a total of 768.5 career points.

Alain Prost’s methodical driving style and strong intellect helped him compete against his rival Ayrton Senna, and their feud is what he is most often remembered for. His driving skills included both speed and precision, leading him to become France’s first world champion in 1985. Prost reflects on his experience racing in the 1990 Mexican Grand Prix as the most significant race of his career.

In 1987, he broke Jackie Stewart’s record of 27 wins. Then, in the next year, McLaren won 15 out of 16 races throughout the season, which showcased the incredible skills of both Prost and Senna. Prost continued to perform at his best until he retired, and he won his last championship for Williams when he was 38 years old – marking his fourth and final title.

Ayrton Senna – 41 wins

Senna’s first race was in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix, and they won three world championships in 1988, 1990, and 1991. They competed in a total of 161 races, winning 41 of them and securing pole position 65 times. Their career points totalled 610.

Ayrton Senna is an iconic figure in motorsport known for his exceptional raw talent and charisma. His unwavering commitment to each lap and his relentless pursuit to exceed limits have earned him a special place in the hearts of many racing enthusiasts. Though he tragically passed away during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, Senna’s remarkable skill and ambition are evident through his three titles and have solidified his status as a rare talent in the sport.

Even long after his demise, Senna’s cars and his remarkable win of the greatest F1 title continue to be a topic of discussion due to his influence.

Max Verstappen – 41 wins

Max began his racing career in 2015 at the Australian Grand Prix. I have won two world championships, one in 2021 and the other in 2022. I have participated in 171 races, winning 41 times and achieving 25 pole positions. Currently, my career points stand at 2206.5.

Max Verstappen, whose father is former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, made his F1 debut after only one year of car racing. Before that, he participated in the Florida Winter Series where he learned to drive single-seaters. However, he is mainly known for his third-place finish in the 2014 European Formula 3 championship, where he competed against Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon, who won the title.

He took 10 wins from 32 races in a single season which included six consecutive wins. Due to this, he was selected to move up to F1 and got the opportunity to take a seat at Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso in 2015, making him the youngest-ever grand prix driver. In his first F1 season, he achieved 10 points-paying finishes out of 19 races in average performing machinery. However, it was in his second F1 season that he made his mark in the sport.

In 2016, Verstappen joined the senior Red Bull team after five races, replacing Kvyat. He won his first race at the Spanish GP, with help from Rosberg and Hamilton’s crash on the first lap.

By the end of the 2020 season, he had won nine more races. Red Bull made some changes to the technical regulations for the 2021 season, which enabled them to produce a car capable of challenging for the world title. The Red Bull car was now much closer in performance to the previously dominant Mercedes car. This led to a tightly contested battle between Verstappen and Hamilton for the title throughout the season. The final race came down to the last lap, and Verstappen emerged as the winner, claiming his first title since he won in karting in 2013.

In 2022, the Dutchman had a relatively easy time winning the championship. However, he encountered reliability issues and couldn’t finish two of the first three rounds. Despite this, Verstappen drove the RB18 to victory and clinched the title after winning in Suzuka. He now has two championships under his belt and we’ll have to wait and see how many more he can obtain.

Fernando Alonso – 32 wins

Fernando Alonso has participated in 366 races since my first race at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix. I have won 32 races and achieved 22 pole positions. I have also won two World Championships in 2005 and 2006. Throughout my career, I have earned a total of 2178 points.

Fernando Alonso is a successful Formula 1 driver who has won two world championships. He is known for his aggressive racing style and fearlessness on the track. It took him three years to win his first championship, winning with a 21-point lead over Kimi Raikkonen. He won his second championship the following year with a 13-point lead over Michael Schumacher. However, Alonso’s luck seemed to change after that.

In 2007, he joined McLaren and came third in the season, closely behind Kimi Raikkonen who won by a point, and Lewis Hamilton who had the same points but more wins. Moving to Ferrari in 2010, he was ahead in the final race of the season but ended in second place due to being stuck behind Vitaly Petrov and a win for Sebastian Vettel. He almost won the 2012 title but came second to Vettel by only three points. In 2013, he came second again, but was far behind Vettel by 155 points.

In 2015, he returned to McLaren, which unfortunately coincided with a difficult period for the team due to their partnership with Honda. Despite enduring four challenging years, he departed from McLaren at the end of 2018 before they made progress and started performing well again. In the 2021 season, he competed with the Alpine team in the midfield and achieved his best finish in seven years with a fourth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although his teammate Esteban Ocon won the race, he finally earned his 98th podium in Qatar.

In 2023, Alonso made a surprising transition to Aston Martin and it paid off immensely. The team went from being in the middle of the pack to leading it. Alonso started the season with two third-place finishes and even achieved his 100th career podium berth during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite his bad luck in Formula 1, Alonso has managed to secure 32 wins, 22 pole positions, and 23 fastest laps, solidifying his popularity among fans.

Nigel Mansell – 31 wins

The person’s first race was in the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix. They won one World Championship in 1992. They competed in a total of 187 races and won 31 of them. They achieved 32 pole positions throughout their career and earned a total of 482 career points.

Nigel Mansell had a turbulent Formula 1 career due to problems with his car’s reliability. In 1988, he only achieved two second-place finishes and had to miss two races due to chicken pox, with the remaining 12 races resulting in him having to retire. Despite coming in second place in the championship three times, he missed out on the title by two points in 1986. As his 12th season approached, it seemed like he might experience another season without a title. However, he managed to secure the championship in the end.

In the 1992 season, Mansell won five races in a row and went on to win four more races. He also came in second place three times. These victories led to his winning of the title at the age of 39, making him the fifth-oldest person to achieve this feat.

Jackie Stewart – 27 wins

Stewart participated in his first race during the 1965 South African Grand Prix, won three world championships in 1969, 1971, and 1973, took part in 99 races, won 27 times, achieved 17 pole positions, and earned a total of 360 career points.

Jackie Stewart was a pioneering driver who led the charge for improved safety standards in Formula One. Despite the common acceptance of these standards in the sport today, Stewart was one of the first to advocate for them, having witnessed too many of his fellow racers perish doing what they loved. Drawing on his own experience as a triple champion and respected authority in the field, Stewart championed the use of full-face helmets, seatbelts, travelling medical units, safety barriers, and runoff areas to help mitigate the risks associated with high-speed racing.

Stewart was an exceptional talent on the racetrack and dominated throughout his time on the grid. He won three world titles with Ken Tyrrell’s team during the late 1960s and early 1970s, forming an unbeatable partnership. However, he also had a strong focus on safety during his career.

Niki Lauda – 25 wins

Lauda’s first race was in 1971 at the Austrian Grand Prix. They won three World Championships, in 1975, 1977, and 1984. Over the span of their career, they participated in 171 races, won 25 of them, and secured 24 pole positions. Their overall career points tally was 420.5.

Although Niki Lauda paid to enter Formula 1, his talent is what allowed him to stay in the sport. After three seasons, he joined Ferrari in 1974 and finished fourth in the championship with two wins, despite facing some bad luck. The next year, in 1975, he won five races and earned his first world title. Lauda’s most well-known season is 1976, when he was involved in a memorable crash at Nurburgring.

The message is about Niki Lauda, a Formula 1 driver who survived a serious accident at the Nurburgring and narrowly missed out on winning the championship to James Hunt in 1976. He went on to win two more championships in 1977 and 1984, and retired from racing in 1985. Lauda was also known for his business acumen and held managerial roles at Ferrari, Jaguar, and notably, Mercedes.

Until his passing in 2019, he played a key role in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes for the 2013 season and continued to work with the team.

Jim Clark – 25 wins

Here are the career highlights of the racer:

• First race was in 1960 at the Dutch Grand Prix.

• Won 2 World Championships in 1963 and 1965.

• Competed in 72 races.

• Won 25 races.

• Achieved 33 pole positions.

• Scored a total of 274 career points.

Jim Clark was a racing driver who prioritized winning over seeking attention. He had a remarkably successful career from 1962 to 1965 and was only prevented from winning the world title due to mechanical problems. At the time of his death in 1968, which occurred during an F2 race at Hockenheim, he held the record for the most race wins.

Clark’s exceptional driving skills were on full display at Spa in 1963, where he managed to create a significant lead of eight miles between himself and the closest competitor despite the harsh rainfall. This achievement is a testament to the courage that was required of drivers during the perilous era of motorsport’s past.

FORMULA 1 CALENDAR 2023

• 5 Mar: Bahrain GP at Bahrain International Circuit

• 19 Mar: Saudi Arabian GP at Jeddah Street Circuit

• 2 Apr: Australian GP at Albert Park

• 30 Apr: Azerbaijan GP at Baku City Circuit

• 7 May: Miami GP at Miami International Autodrome

• 28 May: Monaco GP at Circuit de Monaco

• 4 Jun: Spanish GP at Circuit de Catalunya

• 18 Jun: Canadian GP at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

• 2 Jul: Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring

• 9 Jul: British GP at Circuit Silverstone

• 23 Jul: Hungarian GP at Hungaroring

Here is a list of upcoming Grand Prix races and their dates and locations:

• Belgian GP: Spa-Francorchamps on July 30th

• Dutch GP: Circuit Zandvoort on August 27th

• Italian GP: Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 3rd

• Singapore GP: Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 17th

• Japanese GP: Suzuka Circuit on September 24th

• Qatar GP: Losail International Circuit on October 8th

• United States GP: Circuit of the Americas on October 22nd

• Mexican GP: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29th

• Brazilian GP: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Interlagos on November 5th

• Las Vegas GP: Las Vegas Street Circuit on November 19th

• Abu Dhabi GP: Yas Marina Circuit on November 26th

It’s impossible to definitively answer the question of who is statistically the best Formula 1 driver ever, as there are so many factors that go into being a great racer. However, this list examines some of the greatest F1 drivers in history and their impressive statistics show just how talented they all were. From Lewis Hamilton’s five world titles to Michael Schumacher’s seven championships, these 11 drivers have had remarkable careers on the track and will be remembered for generations to come. Whether you agree with our rankings or not, one thing remains undeniable: these 11 men truly embody what it means to be an elite Formula 1 driver!