The Greatest Drivers in the History of Formula One 

The Greatest Drivers in the History of Formula One 


July 1, 2023 | Kaddy Gibson

The Greatest Drivers in the History of Formula One 


For more than 70 years, the Formula One circuit has been graced by some of the most skilled drivers in the world. When it comes down to the number of wins under their belt, these guys are five of the best drivers in the history of Formula One.


Ayrton Senna

No list of the greats is complete without Ayrton Senna. Senna was destined to be a winner on the track. When he was 13 years old, he took part in go-kart races and often won against much older rivals. Later, Senna took this experience to the professional race circuits in England. He won the British Formula Three Championship before moving up the ranks to Formula One in 1984. Driving predominantly for McLaren, Senna won three World Championships and a total of 41 races. Senna’s career was tragically cut short in 1994 when he had a fatal crash at the San Marino Grand Prix. Despite this, he is remembered as one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history.

Ayrton SennaWikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Alain Prost

Like Aryton Senna, Alain Prost stepped into the world of motorsport at an early age. He went from go-karting at 14 years old to a professional Formula One career ten years later. Prost is often considered one of the greatest drivers because he kept everyone else on their toes. Squaring off against legends like Niki Lauda and Nigel Mansell, Prost secured four World Championships and a total of 51 wins. Prost ended his career on a high note when he retired after winning his fourth championship in 1993.

Alain ProstWikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel always knew he’d be a Formula One champion. As a young child, he showed incredible skill on the go-kart circuits. He gained the attention of the folks at Red Bull and signed to their Junior Team when he was just 11 years old. Ten years later, Vettel made headlines when he secured victory at a Formula One Grand Prix and took the title of youngest Formula One champion from Lewis Hamilton. As part of Red Bull’s senior team, Vettel went on to snag four consecutive World Championships. And with a total of 53 wins, Vettel has earned a spot on the list of the greatest Formula One drivers.

Sebastian VettelNick | Flickr

Advertisement

Michael Schumacher

For several years, it seemed like Michael Schumacher was unbeatable on the track. To many Formula One fans, Schumacher is the greatest driver of all time due to his incredible speed, focus, and willingness to take risks. Some people also love his arrogance, though it sometimes got him in trouble with racing officials. But despite the occasional controversy, Schumacher is undeniably great. With seven World Championship victories and a total of 91 wins, he is one of the best drivers who ever sped down the Formula One circuits.

Michael SchumacherWikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton’s career may have had a bit of a slower start than the other drivers on this list, but no one can stop him now. Starting with go-karts and remote-controlled cars as a kid, Hamilton became one of McLaren’s most skilled drivers. In 2008, he won his first World Championship and made headlines for being the youngest World Champion. But Hamilton’s career didn’t get much fanfare for years after that. Things didn’t really kick into gear until he signed with Mercedes in 2013. Since then, he’s been unstoppable. With seven World Championships and a total of 103 wins, Lewis Hamilton has cemented his place as the king of the racetrack and, thus far, the greatest driver in the history of Formula One.

2565919432_77e5f14f26_oph-stop | Flickr

Advertisement

Sources: 1, 2


READ MORE

Volkswagen ID 4

Cars You Should Never Buy Used, According To Mechanics

Behind dealership promises, certain cars conceal persistent flaws that emerge once warranties expire. Apart from value, they lose reliability and safety, as technicians see the same makes and models returning for major repairs that outpace their worth.
September 1, 2025 Peter Kinney

The Wildest Supercar Concepts That Never Made It To Production

Concept cars are the automotive world’s ultimate daydreams. They’re bold, flashy, and designed to push the limits of engineering and style—even if they’re destined to never see a production line. Here are some of the wildest and most unforgettable supercar concepts that had everyone drooling, but never got the chance to hit the showroom floor.
September 2, 2025 Peter Kinney

Quiz: Which Fast & Furious Car Matches Your Personality?

The Fast & Furious franchise isn’t just about high-speed chases, explosive stunts, and gravity-defying heists—it’s about the cars that make it all possible. From Dom’s muscle-bound Charger to Brian’s turbo-charged Skyline, every ride tells a story and reflects the personality of the driver behind the wheel. But have you ever wondered which Fast & Furious car matches your personality?
September 2, 2025 Jack Hawkins

Looking Back At Datsun’s Fabulous 510

The Datsun 510 debuted in 1967 as an affordable practical compact for the American market and quickly positioned Nissan as a major competitor on the world stage.
August 29, 2025 Sammy Tran

The Best Car-Centric Heist Movies Ever Made

Whether it’s muscle cars barreling through city streets, precision European getaways, or stunt-filled spectacles, car-centric heist movies take the best of both worlds and slam them into overdrive. Let’s hit the gas and speed through 25 of the best car-heist films ever made—movies that not only feature daring robberies but put cars front and center in the action.
September 2, 2025 Quinn Mercer
Infiniti QX60

The Worst Cars Of The Last 10 Years—Ranked

Not every car from the last decade was a gem. Some were boring, some were overpriced disasters, and others were so unreliable they became memes. Here’s a countdown of the 25 worst cars of the decade, starting with the mildly disappointing and ending with the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel.
September 1, 2025 Peter Kinney