McLaren-Honda MP4/4
The McLaren-Honda MP4/4 is widely regarded as one of the most dominant Formula One cars of all-time. Designed by Steve Nichols, Gordon Murray, and Neil Oatley, the MP4/4 was used by the McLaren team during the 1988 F1 season. The car was powered by a turbocharged Honda V6 engine and driven by two legends — Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
The MP4/4 won 15 of the 16 races it entered, and took both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the hands of Senna and Prost. The car was praised for its exceptional handling and superior performance, as well as its stunning silver and red livery. The MP4/4 is still revered as a classic of F1 engineering and design.
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Mercedes W11
The Mercedes W11 F1 car is a masterpiece of engineering and design that helped the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team to win its seventh consecutive Constructors’ Championship in 2020. This state-of-the-art machine is the result of years of research, development, and testing, and it represents the pinnacle of modern automotive technology. One of the key features of the W11 is its advanced powertrain, which combines a 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged engine with a hybrid system that uses two electric motors to provide additional power and energy recovery.
The W11 won 13 out of the 17 races in the 2020 Formula One World Championship, which is a remarkable achievement. The car was driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas — both of whom are highly skilled and experienced drivers who were able to push the car to its limits and capitalize on its advanced technology and design. With its dominant performance, the W11 helped Hamilton to win his seventh World Drivers’ Championship, solidifying his position as arguably the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One.
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Brawn BGP 001
The Brawn BGP 001 was by Ross Brawn and his team for the 2009 season. The car was produced by the newly-formed Brawn GP team, which emerged from the ashes of the Honda Racing F1 team. Powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine, the car featured a distinctive white and fluorescent yellow livery.
The car proved to be highly successful, winning eight of the season’s seventeen races and taking both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the hands of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. The BGP 001 is widely regarded as one of the most impressive designs in recent F1 history, thanks to its innovative double-decker diffuser and other technical innovations.
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Ferrari Tipo 500
Driven by a number of legendary drivers, including Alberto Ascari who won the world championship in both 1952 and 1953, the Ferrari Tipo 500 was praised for its excellent handling and acceleration — as well as its reliability and durability. It was powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produced around 185 horsepower. The Tipo 500 featured a tubular chassis and a lightweight bodywork that made it one of the most nimble and agile cars of its time. Memorably, the Tipo helped establish Ferrari as a dominant force in the early years of Formula One, and it remains a classic of F1 history.
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Mercedes-Benz W196
Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut for the 1954 and 1955 seasons, the Mercedes-Benz W196 featured a streamlined bodywork, a fuel-injected straight-eight engine, and a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis that made it both lightweight and rigid. Renowned for its exceptional handling and speed, as well as its advanced engineering and design, the W196 was driven by greats including Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss and won a total of nine races.
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Alfa Romeo 158
Powered by a supercharged 1.5-liter straight-eight engine that produced around 195 horsepower and featuring a lightweight bodywork that made it one of the most nimble and agile cars of its time, the Alfa Romeo 158 left a lasting mark on Formula One. The 158 was driven by a number of legendary drivers, including Tazio Nuvolari and Juan Manuel Fangio. The car won a total of 10 out of the 11 races it entered during the 1950 season, and helped Fangio secure his first world championship title.
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Mercedes W05
The 2014 Formula One season was dominated by one team — Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. The historic duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg combined to win 16-of-19 races (Hamilton won 11) en route to taking both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. The W05 was powered by a hybrid power unit consisting of a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine and an energy recovery system that harvested energy from the car’s brakes and exhaust gases, and was praised for its exceptional handling and speed, as well as its advanced engineering and design. Truly one of the best cars in F1 history.
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Williams FW14/B
In the 1992 Formula One season, the FW14/B proved to be dominant, winning 10 out of the 16 races, with Nigel Mansell taking the Drivers’ Championship and Williams taking the Constructors’ Championship. The car also set a number of records, including the most pole positions in a season (15) and the most laps led in a season (692). It was the successor to the highly successful FW14, and featured several technical improvements, including a semi-automatic transmission and active suspension system. The FW14/B’s success continued into the 1993 season, with Alain Prost winning his fourth Drivers’ Championship and Williams winning their third consecutive Constructors’ Championship.
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Mercedes W10
Mercedes’ dominance continued in 2019 with the W10. Driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, the W10 proved to be a truly dominant car. Hamilton and Bottas combined to win 15-of-21 races — resulting in the team winning the Constructors Championship. Of course, Hamilton took home his sixth Drivers’ Championship — and Bottas finished in second. The W10 was praised for its reliability and consistency, and is considered one of the most successful cars in modern Formula One history. Its success helped Mercedes secure their sixth consecutive Constructors’ Championship.
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Red Bull RB9
An evolution of the highly successful RB8, Red Bull’s RB9 featured improved aerodynamics and a lighter chassis. In the 2013 season, the car proved to be dominant — winning 13 out of the 19 races and securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for Red Bull Racing. Sebastian Vettel won his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship with the car, while Mark Webber finished third in the standings. Mercedes would quickly surpass Red Bull as the best team in Formula One, but the RB9 will always hold a special place in F1 history.
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Lotus 72
Introduced to the racing world in 1970, the Lotus 72 raced until 1975. In that span, the car won three Drivers’ Championships and two Constructors’ Championships. The car was known for its innovative design, featuring a wedge-shaped body, side-mounted radiators, and a front wing. It was powered by a variety of engines, including Cosworth and Ford. The Lotus 72 was driven by some of the greatest drivers in Formula One history, including Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Ronnie Peterson. Its success helped establish Lotus as one of the top teams in the sport (at the time).
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Mercedes W07
The Mercedes W07 competed in the 2016 season, driven by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. It was the dominant car of the season, winning 19 out of 21 races and securing the Constructors’ Championship for Mercedes. The car featured a powerful Mercedes-Benz PU106C Hybrid power unit, an innovative split turbocharger system, and an aerodynamically efficient chassis design. The W07 was praised for its excellent balance, consistent performance, and reliability — with Hamilton and Rosberg finishing first and second in the Drivers’ Championship respectively. The car set new records for the number of pole positions, wins, and points scored in a season.
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Williams FW18
The FW18 featured many technical innovations, including a sophisticated active suspension system and a carbon-fiber composite monocoque chassis. The car’s aerodynamics were also highly advanced, with a low nose and tightly packaged bodywork that maximized downforce and minimized drag. Designed by Adrian Newey and built by Williams Grand Prix Engineering for the 1996 season, the FW18 was powered by a Renault RS8 V10 engine and driven by Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. The duo won a total of 12 out of 16 races that season and secured both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
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Benetton B195
The Benetton B195 was driven by the legendary Michael Schumacher and Johnny Herbert, and it proved to be a highly successful car. During the 1995 season, the B195 was powered by a Renault RS7 V10 engine and featured advanced aerodynamics, including a low nose, tight sidepods, and a high rear wing. The car also featured advanced electronic systems, such as a semi-automatic gearbox and traction control, which helped Schumacher to dominate the championship. Overall, the Benetton B195 won 11 out of 17 races (Schumacher won all 11) and secured the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for Michael Schumacher and Benetton, respectively.
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Ferrari F2002
The 2002 season saw Ferrari trot out the F2002 — designed by Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne. With Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello at the wheel of the two cars, Ferrari won 15 out of 19 races and secured both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. The F2002 featured many advanced technical innovations, including a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, a new rear suspension system, and an improved aerodynamic package. It was powered by a Ferrari Tipo 051 V10 engine and featured advanced electronics and data systems that helped to optimize performance.
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Mercedes W06
In the midst of their historic run, Mercedes dominated the 2015 season behind the power of the W06 — and the iconic duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The W06 featured advanced technical innovations, including a highly efficient hybrid power unit and a complex aerodynamic package that maximized downforce and minimized drag. The car also featured advanced electronics and data systems that helped to optimize performance. En route to securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for Mercedes, Hamilton (10) and Rosberg (6) combined to win 16-of-19 races.
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Ferrari F2004
Two years after Ferrari won 15-of-19 races with the F2002, the team introduced the F2004 and once again annihilated the competition. The F2004 featured advanced technical innovations, including a new front wing design, an updated suspension system, and an improved aerodynamic package. It was powered by a Ferrari Tipo 053 V10 engine and featured advanced electronics and data systems that helped to optimize performance. Driven by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, the car claimed first place in 15-of-18 races — Schumacher won 13 races.
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Red Bull RB18
The RB18 was a dominant vehicle. Designed by Adrian Newey for the 2022 Formula One season, the RB18 was clearly the class of the field and led to Red Bull claiming both the Drivers’ Championship and their fifth Constructors’ Championship. Featuring a slick new design and bold livery, the RB18 won 17-of-22 races — with Max Verstappen winning 15 races and Sergio Perez claiming two top finishes. In the early moments of the 2023 season, Red Bull’s car looks even better than the stellar ’22 product.
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The 25 Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of All-Time
25. Alan Jones
Wins & Podiums: 12 W, 24 P
As we count down the best Formula One drivers of all-time, who better to start with than the first driver to win a Formula One World Championship with Williams Racing? Born in 1946, Alan Jones made his F1 debut in 1975 and ultimately joined Williams in ’78. A year later, Jones finished 3rd place in the World Drivers’ Championship.
In ’80, Jones won the Championship — becoming just the second Australian driver to accomplish the feat. That racing season, Jones won five races and had five additional podium finishes. Jones’ triumph was the peak of his career. In the following years, Jones competed in F1 two more seasons before retiring — finishing 3rd (’81) and 12th (’86).
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24. David Coulthard
Wins & Podiums: 13 W, 62 P
David Coulthard may have never won a World Drivers’ Championship, but he was certainly one of the top drivers for much of his career. In 1994, Coulthard succeeded the iconic Ayrton Senna at Williams — he finished in 8th place. In his sophomore campaign, Coulthard earned eight podiums — including his first victory — en route to a 3rd place finish for the WDC. After joining McLaren in advance of the ’96 season, DC put together a great stretch of driving. From ’96-02, Coulthard finished no lower than 5th place for the WDC title. During that span he ended the year in 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 5th.
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23. Valtteri Bottas
Wins & Podiums: 10 W, 67 P (and counting)
One of the top stars currently competing in Formula One, Valtteri Bottas is in his second year with Alfa Romeo after having driven for Mercedes since 2017. The Finnish driver debuted in 2013 with Williams. From ’13-16, Bottas finished on the podium on seven occasions. Overall, Bottas finished 17th, 4th, 5th, and 8th while with Williams. Since joining Mercedes, however, Bottas’ career has taken off.
In five full seasons with Mercedes, Bottas finished in the top-5 of the World Drivers’ Championship. He won three races in his first year in his new vehicle, won four races in ’19, added two more in ’20, and won one race last year. Bottas finished both the ’19 and ’20 seasons in 2nd place behind his former teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
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22. Jenson Button
Wins & Podiums: 15 W, 50 P
Jenson Button is the last British driver not named Lewis Hamilton to win the World Drivers’ Championship. Button’s career began in 2000 and came to an end in ’17. Over the years, the Somerset native made 306 starts and notched 15 victories. Button’s breakthrough came in his fifth season, ’04, when he finished third overall in the WDC. That season, Button finished on the podium 10 times.
Four disappointing years followed, but Button struck gold in ’09. Racing for Brawn GP, Button won six of the season’s first seven races en route to winning the WDC. Button would go on to finish second in the WDC in ’11, but would only net one more top-5 finish before retiring in ’17.
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21. Mario Andretti
Wins & Podiums: 12 W, 19 P
Born in Italy, Mario Andretti and his family emigrated to the United States in 1955 — Andretti was 15. Upon arriving in the States, Andretti quickly turned his love for racing into a promising career. The legend started out in stock car racing, and by ’66 was competing in NASCAR. Andretti won both the Daytona 500 and Indy 500 — and is only one of two drivers to have won a race in the NASCAR Cup Series, Formula One, and an Indy 500.
Andretti made his F1 debut in ’68 and won his first race in ’71. While racing for Lotus in ’77, Andretti won four races en route to a 3rd place WDC finish. The following season, Andretti won the F1 World Championship — claiming six victories in the process. No American driver has claimed first-place in an F1 race since Andretti’s triumph at the Dutch Grand Prix in ’78.
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20. Alberto Ascari
Wins & Podiums: 13 W, 17 P
Hailing from Milan, Italy, Alberto Ascari was one of Formula One’s first superstars. Racing for Scuderia Ferrari, Ascari took part in the first-ever F1 Championship season in 1950. That year, Ascari finished in 5th place. The Milan native would go on to win two races and claim two additional podiums in ’51 — but fell just short of the WDC as the runner-up. However, Ascari was not going to be denied.
In ’52, the Italian won six-straight races en route to his first World Championship. In his encore performance, Ascari won five races to help claim his second WDC in a row. Remarkably, no Italian driver has won the Championship since Ascari. In a tragic coincidence, Ascari died in a fatal accident at the age of 36 — the same age as his father was when he perished in the same manner.
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19. Jack Brabham
Wins & Podiums: 14 W, 31 P
Jack Brabham may look like he belongs in a James Bond film, but he was also one hell of a driver. Before becoming one of Formula One’s most successful drivers, Brabham was a flight mechanic in the Royal Australian Air Force. By 1955, the then-29-year-old entered the world of F1. His first four campaigns were rather uneventful, but the Australian took his first step in becoming a legend in Year 5. Racing for Cooper Car Company, Brabham won two races and secured three additional podiums — culminating with a 1st place finish in the WDC.
The next season, in 1960, Brabham won five-straight races to help capture his second WDC title. In the ’60s, Brabham became the largest manufacturer of customer racing cars in the world. In a legendary feat, Brabham won his third and final WDC in ’66 while driving one of his own cars — becoming the first and only man to do so.
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18. Graham Hill
Wins & Podiums: 14 W, 36 P
Sporting some fantastic slicked back hair and a sharp mustache, Graham Hill took the racing world by storm in the 1960s. Born in London, Hill is known for being one of the most complete drivers in the history of the sport. Known as “Mr. Monaco”, Hill won the Monaco Grand Prix five times during his career. In fact, Hill’s prowess as a big-race driver carries a ton of weight.
He is the only driver to have won the Triple Crown of Motorsport — winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship, and the Indianapolis 500. Hill won the WDC twice (’62, ’68) and was a three-time runner-up (’63-65). Fittingly, Hill’s last win (’69) and last entry (’75) came at Monaco.
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17. Nelson Piquet
Wins & Podiums: 23 W, 60 P
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nelson Piquet was a truly sensational driver. The 69-year-old parlayed his success as a karting champion into becoming an Formula One mainstay. In 1978, Piquet entered F1 under the Brabham banner — driving alongside the iconic Niki Lauda. By ’80, Piquet established himself as one of the top drivers. He finished that season in 2nd place behind Alan Jones.
The following season, Piquet edged out Argentine driver Carlos Reutemann by one point to claim his first WDC. Two years later, the Brazilian won his second WDC — this time topping Alain Prost by two points. Finally, in ’87, Piquet won his third and final WDC. Piquet notched 11 podiums en route to his easiest victory.
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16. Nico Rosberg
Wins & Podiums: 23 W, 57 P
Not many people are able to walk away from their profession while they’re at the top. In 2016, Nico Rosberg did just that. The German driver made his debut for the Williams F1 Team in 2006. In ’10, Rosberg made the switch to Mercedes and his career began to take off. After reaching just two podiums in four seasons with Williams, Rosberg tallied three 3rd place finishes in Year 1 with Mercedes. Between ’12-13, Rosberg notched his first three victories — but only finished as high as 6th in the WDC.
However, the German found his groove starting in ’14. Over his final three seasons as an F1 driver, Rosberg won 20 races — including nine in ’16 alone. Rosberg finished 2nd in the WDC in both ’14 and ’15, but finally captured the elusive championship in ’16. Rosberg edged out his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, by five points. And then, Rosberg walked away from the sport.
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15. Jim Clark
Wins & Podiums: 25 W, 32 P
Despite racing for a relatively short time — 1960-68 — Jim Clark notched 25 victories. Tragically, we will never know just how amazing of a career Clark could have had. On April 7, 1968, Clark was killed in a racing accident while competing in a Formula Two race. At the time, it was more common for top drivers to compete in different classes. Racing for Team Lotus, Clark finished second in the WDC in ’62.
The following season, Clark won 7-of-10 races en route to his first Championship. Two years later, the British driver bagged his second title. In his last F1 race before his death, Clark won the South African Grand Prix. At the time of his passing, Clark held the record for most wins (25) and pole positions (33).
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14. Jackie Stewart
Wins & Podiums: 27 W, 43 P
Sir Jackie Stewart, aka the “Flying Scot”, dominated Formula One up until his retirement. Born in Scotland, Stewart burst onto the scene in 1965 with the Owen Racing Organization. As a rookie racer, Stewart found himself on five podiums and nabbed his first victory at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite retiring from three of the last four races, Stewart finished in 3rd place for the WDC.
Racing for Matra International in ’68, the ‘Flying Scot’ finished the season as runner-up. However, Stewart reached the mountain top the following campaign. Stewart won six of the first eight races en route to his first WDC win. The icon would go on to win the WDC in both ’71 and ’73. Stewart retired following his third championship, but remained the winningest F1 driver for 14 years following his departure.
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13. Nigel Mansell
Wins & Podiums: 31 W, 59 P
Nigel Ernest James Mansell — what a name, what a driver. Mansell debuted for Team Essex Lotus in 1980, but it wasn’t until ’85 that the British driver secured his first victory. Up until that point, Mansell’s best WDC finish was 10th place. In ’85, Mansell joined Canon Williams Honda — won two races, and finished 6th overall.
Between ’86-91, Mansell finished as the season’s runner-up on three occasions. After three excruciating 2nd place finishes, Mansell finally pulled through in ’92. The British driver stormed out of the gates, winning the first five races of the season — and nine overall. Mansell’s 31 victories are the second-most by a British driver, trailing Lewis Hamilton.
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12. Kimi Räikkönen
Wins & Podiums: 21 W, 103 P
Despite approaching his 43rd birthday, Kimi Räikkönen is just recently retired from Formula One. Born in Finland, Räikkönen made his F1 debut way back in 2001. Räikkönen’s career got off to a promising start, as he finished 10th overall for the WDC. Just two years later, Räikkönen finished as the season’s runner-up while racing for McLaren. In ’05, the driver won seven races…but once again finished in 2nd place.
In advance of the ’07 circuit, Räikkönen made the switch over to Ferrari. His decision paid off immediately as he went on to capture his first WDC title — beating Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by one point. While Räikkönen wasn’t able to capture a second title, he finished in 3rd place three more times since ’08. Räikkönen retired a legend following the ’21 season.
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11. Damon Hill
Wins & Podiums: 22 W, 42 P
Racing runs through the veins of the Hill family. The son of the legendary Graham Hill, Damon Hill put together a career than arguably surpassed his father’s. Hill became a full-time driver for the Williams Team in 1993. In his first full season as a Formula One driver, Hill finished in 3rd place for the WDC. At one point, he won three-straight races. The next two years were full of promise and torment.
Hill won six races in ’94 and four in ’95 — but unfortunately finished as the WDC runner-up both years. Finally, in ’96, Hill reached the pinnacle. Hill topped the grid the first three races of the campaign, won four of the first five, and won eight total races en route to a dominant 19-point WDC win. After leaving Williams following his win, Hill never finished higher than 6th overall (WDC) in his final three seasons.
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10. Mika Hakkinen
Wins & Podiums: 20 W, 51 P
Yet another fantastic driver hailing from Finland, Mika Häkkinen was a star in the 1990s while driving for McLaren. Known as “The Flying Finn”, Häkkinen debuted in F1 during the ’91 season. For his first two years, the Finn raced for Team Lotus to little success. He earned a combined 13 points in his two years with Lotus, but Häkkinen’s performance improved once he jumped to McLaren. His second year with McLaren ended with a 4th place finish in the WDC. For the next three years, Häkkinen would hover just outside the top-5 — finishing in 7th, 5th, and 6th.
However, Häkkinen owned the ’98 and ’99 seasons. The Finn won eight races and reached three additional podiums in ’98, finishing with 100 points — 14 ahead of Michael Schumacher. Despite finishing the ’99 season with 76 points, Häkkinen defended his title. After a runner-up finish in 2000 and a 5th place result in ’01, Häkkinen walked away from F1.
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9. Juan Manuel Fangio
Wins & Podiums: 24 W, 35 P
Along with Italian driver Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio dominated the 1950s. Born in Balcarce, Argentina, Fangio was passionate about cars from an early age. El Maestro was eager to learn about auto mechanics — and that passion soon turned into a racing career. Fangio made his Formula One debut in ’50 with Alfa Romeo. In his first seven seasons, Fangio finished no lower than 2nd in the WDC. He was the runner-up in ’50 and ’53, and won it all in ’51, ’54, ’55, ’56, and ’57. For 46 years, Fangio held the record for most WDC titles. To this day, the Argentine holds the F1 record for highest winning percentage. Fangio won 24-of-52 races he entered — a remarkable 46.15%.
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8. Max Verstappen
Wins & Podiums: 35 W, 77 P (and counting)
When it is all said and done, Max Verstappen will likely be considered one of the five-best drivers of all-time. Having turned 25 in September 2022, Verstappen is a top-2 racer in Formula One at the moment. In 2015, Verstappen became the youngest driver ever to participate in a World Championship race — he was just 17. In his second full season as a driver, Verstappen finished 5th in the WDC.
The young Dutchman has taken his driving to another level in recent years. Verstappen finished both the ’19 and ’20 seasons in 3rd place — behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas — and captured his first World Drivers’ Championship in dramatic (and controversial) fashion in 2021. In 2022, Verstappen dominated the field by winning 15 races en route to his second WDC in a row.
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7. Fernando Alonso
Wins & Podiums: 32 W, 98 P (and counting)
Only five drivers have more career victories than Spain’s Fernando Alonso. Currently racing for Alpine F1 Team, Alonso has been on the scene since 2001. The driver finished 23rd overall in his debut season, but quickly announced his presence as a top driver in the sport. In his second year, Alonso finished on four podiums — including his first-career win at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix — and finished 6th in the WDC.
After a 4th place finish in his second year with Renault, Alonso claimed back-to-back WDC titles in ’05 and ’06. While Alonso hasn’t been able to capture a third championship, he has come close a number of times. Racing for Ferrari from 2010-14, Alonso finished in 2nd place three times (’10, ’12, ’13) — losing to Sebastian Vettel all three times. After a two season hiatus, Alonso returned in ’21. In ’23, Alonso will be joining Aston Martin.
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6. Sebastian Vettel
Wins & Podiums: 53 W, 122 P
Last slide, we talked about Fernando Alonso — a two-time WDC winner who also finished runner-up three times in the early 2010s. The man that beat him? Sebastian Vettel. Born in Germany, Vettel is third all-time with 53 wins. The German got his start in ’06 as a test driver for BMW Sauber. By ’09, Vettel joined Red Bull and became F1’s top driver almost immediately. Vettel finished his first season with Red Bull as the runner-up…and then proceeded to win four-straight WDC titles.
From 2010-13, Vettel won 34 races. In particular, his ’11 and ’13 seasons were dominant. In ’11, Vettel won 11 races. Two years later, the German won 13 races — including nine in a row to end the year. While he hasn’t finished atop the WDC standings since his fourth triumph, Vettel finished in the top-5 every year from ’14-19. Vettel’s 13-win season remains an F1 record. Vettel retired following the ’22 season.
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5. Alain Prost
Wins & Podiums: 51 W, 106 P
With 51 wins to his name, Alain Prost is the fourth-winningest Formula One racer of all-time. The Frenchman was a decorated kart driver before becoming an F1 legend. After winning multiple karting championships growing up, Prost joined Formula Three where he continued his winning ways and drew the attention of F1. Prost made his F1 debut in 1980 with McLaren, and it didn’t take long for him to become the best in the sport. Prost joined Renault ahead of his second season, and promptly won three races en route to a 5th place finish in the WDC.
The next three years, Prost finished in 4th, 2nd, and 2nd place. Back with McLaren at this time, Prost won back-to-back WDC titles in ’85 and ’86. The Frenchman was knocked off his perch the next two years (4th, 2nd) before winning his third title in ’89. The legend joined Ferrari for two campaigns and finished in 2nd and 5th. Racing for Williams in his final season (’93), Prost won a fourth WDC title.
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4. Niki Lauda
Wins & Podiums: 25 W, 54 P
Regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all-time, Niki Lauda is the only F1 driver in history to be a champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. Driving for Ferrari during the 1975 F1 season, Lauda notched five victories on his way to his first WDC. At the start of his follow-up campaign, Lauda won four-of-six races to begin the year. However, on August 1, 1976, Lauda almost perished in a fiery crash.
Remarkably, Lauda only missed two races. Lauda would bounce back to win the ’77 WDC. A three-year retirement followed a brief stint with Brabham-Alfa Romeo. Lauda returned to racing with McLaren in ’82, and subsequently won his third WDC two years later. You can’t talk about Formula One without first mentioning Niki Lauda.
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3. Ayrton Senna
Wins & Podiums: 41 W, 80 P
Ayrton Senna was a marvel behind the wheel. Born in Brazil, Senna was known for his one-lap speed — as well as his ability to drive in the worst conditions imaginable. From 1989-2006, Senna held the record for most pole positions with 65. The Brazilian debuted in ’84, and never finished a season lower than 9th place in the WDC. In his fifth season — and first with McLaren — Senna won eight races en route to his first championship.
After finishing 2nd place in ’89, Senna reclaimed his crown by winning in both ’90 and ’91. Tragically, Senna’s life was cut short just three years later. While in the lead of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Senna crashed into an unprotected concrete barrier and passed away a few hours later as a result of his injuries. He was 34.
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2. Michael Schumacher
Wins & Podiums: 91 W, 155 P
If you consider Michael Schumacher to be the best Formula One driver of all-time, I will not argue. The German racer began his F1 career in 1991 with Jordan, and soon made the switch over to Benetton. With Benetton, Schumacher finished 3rd and 4th in his first two seasons. In ’94, the German won six of the first seven races — and ultimately topped Damon Hill by one point (92-91) to win the WDC. Schumacher once again beat Hill in ’95, but this time cruised to victory with 102 points to Hill’s 69.
Schumacher joined Ferrari the following season. However, it took a few years for things to click — but boy did it click. From 2000-2004, Schumacher won five-straight WDC titles. In ’04, the German won 12 of the season’s first 13 races. At the time of his second retirement in ’12, Schumacher led F1 with 91 wins, seven WDC titles, 68 pole positions, and 155 podiums. Recently, F1’s biggest star has changed the record books…
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1. Lewis Hamilton
Wins & Podiums: 103 W, 191 P (and counting)
…and that would be Lewis Hamilton. Since his debut in 2007, the British driver has been nearly unstoppable. Hamilton holds the following records: 103 wins (as of April 11, 2022), 103 pole positions, most points in a season (413), most career points, and most World Championships — tied with Schumacher at seven. Hamilton finished 2nd in his debut season while racing for McLaren, and captured his first WDC title the following year. Since joining Mercedes in ’13, Hamilton has won six more WDC titles — including four in a row and six-of-seven overall. An incredibly controversial decision prevented Hamilton from winning yet another WDC title in ’21.
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