Dating back to 1950 when it all started, Formula 1 is an international racing sport that is owned by the Formula One Group. And it is organized and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de I'Automobile (FIA).
F1 is currently in its 71st year since its debut. Out of the 770 race drivers who started the Grand Prix only 33 of them have managed to win the WDC. The Grand Prix races have graced the asphalt with groundbreaking and mind blogging records to ever be set on the racing tracks. Also, we have also lost some of the greatest F1 drivers on the tracks.
From Lewis Hamilton to Michael Schumacher, here are the 10 most-winning F1 drivers of all time.
10 Lewis Hamilton – 93 wins
Currently holding the record of the most F1 wins in the world, Lewis Hamilton is arguably the most naturally gifted driver to ever compete in F1. He has been and still is a dominant figure on the racetrack. Needless to say, he is still winning races and breaking records.
It was in 2020 when the Brit not only equaled Michael Schumacher’s 7 world titles but also dethroned the Ferrari’s legendary driver record of 91 wins. On the flip side, the famous Mercedes driver was involved in some of the greatest rivalries in Formula One, the titanic clash with Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel.
9 Michael Schumacher – 91 wins
Former F1 world champion and Ferrari’s legendary driver, Michael Schumacher won races and world championships in his career which spanned for 19 seasons.
The German driver first retired in 2006 while he was Ferrari’s driver. He returned to action 4 years down the line with Mercedes. Only to exit again at the end of 2012 with 155 podium finishes. With a net worth of $780 million, Ferrari’s legendary driver Michael Schumacher is the richest Formula 1 driver in the world.
8 Sebastian Vettel – 53 wins
‘’Destructive force‘’ is a term that best described Sebastian Vettel during his time at Red Bull Racing. He was the world champion four years in a row. To add to his trophy collection, he has won a total of 53 Grand Prix wins.
Before signing his dream deal with Scuderia Ferrari, the German driver raced with Red Bull to Renault. In 2010, Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel became the youngest driver to win the Formula One Drivers Championship. Sebastian Vettel is one of only four F1 drivers to win at least four F1 championship titles.
7 Alain Prost – 51 wins
Retired French racer Alain Prost is a four-time F1 world champion. And he is amongst one of the most famous Formula One racing drivers, partially thanks to him taking home 51 wins during his run.
Alain Prost made his debut in 1980 for McLaren. He was described as quick, intelligent, and a master of race management. During his run, Prost managed to scoop titles in the years 1986,1989, and 1993. These wins cemented Allan Prost's place in the history books.
6 Ayrton Senna-41 wins
When it comes to the top F1 drivers in history, Legend Ayrton Senna takes fifth place. The Brazilian champ won 41 races out of the 161 Grand Prix races he participated in. During his run, Senna took home three world championship titles.
Ayrton Senna passed away due to a crash in 1994, which remains one of the worst moments in the history of F1. Senna's legend has only grown since the tragedy.
5 Fernando Alonso – 32 wins
Talented is the term that best describes former Formula One driver Fernando Alonso. Also, his name remains to be one of the most recognized in motorsports. Fernando Alonso competed with the likes of Schumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel during his racing career, and he still managed to get on this list. After pocketing his last Grand Prix win in 2013, Fernando Alonso left the sport in 2018 with 32 wins.
Two years after his retirement, Fernando Alonso returned to the grid at the age of 39 with Alpine. Will he be winning more races? Well, only time will tell, so sit back and follow the 2021 Grand Prix!
4 Nigel Mansell – 31 wins
Nigel Mansell had an exceptionally long and successful career in both the F1 world championship to the IndyCar series.
During his time, the British F1 racer garnered millions of fans. From his outstanding win in 1985 to the emotional victory in 1992, Nigel Mansell managed to garner a total of 32 wins during his run. With his net worth estimated at $90M, Nigel Mansell did indeed have a successful racing career.
3 Sir Jackie Stewart – 27 wins
After his debut in South Africa, Sir Jackie Stewart was destined for greatness. He got his spotlight in 1965 when he finished 3rd in the Drivers’ Championship standings. The British F1 racer was commonly known to his fans as the ‘’Flying Scot’’.
Out of the 99 Grand Prix championships he participated in, Sir Jackie Stewart pocketed 27 wins. Before retiring from F1 in 1973, the Brit racer closed his run by winning the third world title. Furthermore, Sir Jackie Stewart is arguably one of the most talented F1 racers from Scotland.
2 Jim Clark – 25 wins
33 pole positions, 25 wins, and 73 Grand Prix entries, Jim Clark was an incredibly versatile driver. He managed to have one of the best ratios in F1 during his time.
The Scottish driver won two Formula One titles in 1963 and 1965 respectively. Furthermore, his name will most definitely pop up whenever you think of the Lotus F1 team. It was in 1968 at Hockenheim where Jim drew his final breath.
1 Niki Lauda - 25wins
Niki Lauda is one of the greatest racers of all time. The Austrian F1 racer managed to win championships for two different Formula One teams — Ferrari and McLaren respectively. During his run, Lauda scooped up 25 Grand Prix wins and three world championships.
Niki Lauda is not only remembered as a star but also the genuine person that he was. After cheating death in 1976, he returned to the race tracks in record time. Lauda passed away in 2019 at the age of 70. Well, we can all agree that telling his story never diminishes its impact.