The 10 Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of All Time
POSTED ON 06.14 / 11:01PM
In celebration of Lenovo’s partnership with team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, we decided to celebrate some of the greatest drivers the classic sport of Formula One (F1) has ever seen. F1 enthusiasts are sure to debate our selections, but here are our top 10 F1 drivers of all time.
Share your own top 10 list by leaving a comment in the replies.
10. Fernando Alonso
After Schumacher took home 5 straight championships, Fernando Alonso was the driver who stepped up to the champion and stripped the title away from him. He won championships in 2005 and 2006, and his career is still going today. At age 29, Alonso still has time to capture another World Championship.
9. Mika Hakkinen
He was one of the only drivers who ever took down Schumacher in a straight up race, earning 2 championships to his name in the late 90s. However, one of the most memorable moments of his career came in 1995 after a serious crash in practice. The trackside medics had to perform an on-the-spot tracheotomy to save his life. Had it not been for this, his career may never have played out.
8. Niki Lauda
Despite a severe crash at the 1976 championship that put his life in danger, this Austrian driver was able to claim 3 World Championships during his illustrious career. During 171 starts, he earned 25 total wins and 54 podium appearances. He briefly retired in 1979, only to return 4 years later and win his final championship.
7. Nigel Mansell
Nigel Mansell was a great driver, but his career was certainly one marked by questions of “what if?” He was robbed of a title in 1986, and then couldn’t compete in 87 because of a practice crash. Despite starting his career in 1980, Mansell didn’t claim a World Championship until 1992. It was a remarkable year for him, and truly one of the greatest seasons ever put together by a driver.
6. Jackie Stuart
Stuart was another driver who didn’t always look fast, but his methodical style of racing often landed him at the podium. The 3-time champion earned 27 wins and 43 podiums during his career, and during his prime, he was pretty much the face of the sport. He was also a key figure in promoting stricter safety standards, making his mark on the sport one you simply cannot ignore.
5. Alain Prost
A French F1 legend, Alain Prost claimed 4 World Championships during his remarkable career. He was a top rival of Ayrton Senna (the #1 driver on this list). Prost’s driving style was much more intellectual and calculated than his competitors. He was a smart driver, and that’s why he earned the nickname “The Professor.”
4. Juan Manuel Fangio
This 5-time champion won an impressive 47% of the grand prix he started in. He won titles with a range of fine cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, and Ferrari. Many point to his 1957 German GP comeback win as one of the greatest drives in the history of the sport. He won his final grand prix at age 47, putting men half of his age to shame.
3. Jim Clark
Considered by many to be the best driver of his time, Jim Clark won 2 World Championships (1963, 1965) and 25 total wins. He had pure, raw talent, and he destroyed the competition. Unfortunately, Clark was taken from us far too early when he died in a motor racing accident at Hockenheim. At the time of his death, he had won more Grand Prix races than any other driver.
2. Michael Schumacher
What can you say about Michael Schumacher that hasn’t already been said? The guy absolutely dominates the track with his relentless style of racing. Love him or hate him, the controversial driver has 7 championships and 91 total wins to his name. At one point, he won 5 championships in a row (2000-2004). He’s ruthless and some don’t like the way he competes, but there’s no denying just how remarkable his career has been.
1. Ayrton Senna
Despite his all-too-short 10 year career, Ayrton Senna changed the sport of Formula One forever. The 3-time champion had 41 grand prix wins, and set a number of records along the way. He was fast and aggressive, and many of today’s top drivers still try to model themselves after him. Unfortunately, Ayrton Senna tragically died during a brutal crash at the San Marino track in 1994. In our view, it was on that day that F1 lost its greatest driver of all time.
Do you disagree or agree with our list? Share your own top 10 list by leaving a comment!
Share your own top 10 list by leaving a comment in the replies.
10. Fernando Alonso
After Schumacher took home 5 straight championships, Fernando Alonso was the driver who stepped up to the champion and stripped the title away from him. He won championships in 2005 and 2006, and his career is still going today. At age 29, Alonso still has time to capture another World Championship.
9. Mika Hakkinen
He was one of the only drivers who ever took down Schumacher in a straight up race, earning 2 championships to his name in the late 90s. However, one of the most memorable moments of his career came in 1995 after a serious crash in practice. The trackside medics had to perform an on-the-spot tracheotomy to save his life. Had it not been for this, his career may never have played out.
8. Niki Lauda
Despite a severe crash at the 1976 championship that put his life in danger, this Austrian driver was able to claim 3 World Championships during his illustrious career. During 171 starts, he earned 25 total wins and 54 podium appearances. He briefly retired in 1979, only to return 4 years later and win his final championship.
7. Nigel Mansell
Nigel Mansell was a great driver, but his career was certainly one marked by questions of “what if?” He was robbed of a title in 1986, and then couldn’t compete in 87 because of a practice crash. Despite starting his career in 1980, Mansell didn’t claim a World Championship until 1992. It was a remarkable year for him, and truly one of the greatest seasons ever put together by a driver.
6. Jackie Stuart
Stuart was another driver who didn’t always look fast, but his methodical style of racing often landed him at the podium. The 3-time champion earned 27 wins and 43 podiums during his career, and during his prime, he was pretty much the face of the sport. He was also a key figure in promoting stricter safety standards, making his mark on the sport one you simply cannot ignore.
5. Alain Prost
A French F1 legend, Alain Prost claimed 4 World Championships during his remarkable career. He was a top rival of Ayrton Senna (the #1 driver on this list). Prost’s driving style was much more intellectual and calculated than his competitors. He was a smart driver, and that’s why he earned the nickname “The Professor.”
4. Juan Manuel Fangio
This 5-time champion won an impressive 47% of the grand prix he started in. He won titles with a range of fine cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, and Ferrari. Many point to his 1957 German GP comeback win as one of the greatest drives in the history of the sport. He won his final grand prix at age 47, putting men half of his age to shame.
3. Jim Clark
Considered by many to be the best driver of his time, Jim Clark won 2 World Championships (1963, 1965) and 25 total wins. He had pure, raw talent, and he destroyed the competition. Unfortunately, Clark was taken from us far too early when he died in a motor racing accident at Hockenheim. At the time of his death, he had won more Grand Prix races than any other driver.
2. Michael Schumacher
What can you say about Michael Schumacher that hasn’t already been said? The guy absolutely dominates the track with his relentless style of racing. Love him or hate him, the controversial driver has 7 championships and 91 total wins to his name. At one point, he won 5 championships in a row (2000-2004). He’s ruthless and some don’t like the way he competes, but there’s no denying just how remarkable his career has been.
1. Ayrton Senna
Despite his all-too-short 10 year career, Ayrton Senna changed the sport of Formula One forever. The 3-time champion had 41 grand prix wins, and set a number of records along the way. He was fast and aggressive, and many of today’s top drivers still try to model themselves after him. Unfortunately, Ayrton Senna tragically died during a brutal crash at the San Marino track in 1994. In our view, it was on that day that F1 lost its greatest driver of all time.
Do you disagree or agree with our list? Share your own top 10 list by leaving a comment!
