The Best Of The Best
“Best” in Formula 1 is always going to start a friendly argument, because eras, cars, rules, and competition levels don’t line up neatly. So this list leans on a simple anchor: World Champions who combined results with real influence, whether through dominance, style, or the way they changed what everyone thought was possible. If you’re already warming up a counterpoint, congratulations, you’re doing F1 fandom correctly.
1. Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most race wins in F1 history. Winning 105 races and 7 championships over 12 years, it’s no surprise that he’s held in such high regard within the fanbase.
2. Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher didn’t just win; he set expectations so high that the sport had to recalibrate its sense of what was considered “normal.” His peak years turned preparation, precision, and relentless improvement into an art form that hasn’t been replicated since.
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
In his 8 years of racing, Juan Manuel Fangio’s record is an incredible feat. When he retired, he held the most wins, pole positions, fastest laps, and podium finishes. He was so celebrated that he gained the nickname “el Maestro.”
4. Alain Prost
This French driver raced for 13 years, gaining the nickname “The Professor.” His strategic abilities won him four championship titles over the course of his career. Always thinking three corners ahead, Prost executed with the kind of restraint most racers have to learn the hard way.
5. Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna’s driving had a kind of voltage to it, which was evident throughout his 10-year racing career. He combined bravery with precision in a way that still gets referenced whenever road conditions are less than favorable.
Instituto Ayrton Senna on Wikimedia
6. Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen arrived young, fast, and completely uninterested in waiting his turn, which has turned him into a 21st-century superstar. His championship run showcased aggression that’s tightly controlled, and his 4 years of consecutive wins only prove his skill.
7. Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel’s best years were a masterclass in rhythm, where one perfect lap became another, then another, then an entire season. Over the course of his career, he won four championship awards and still holds the title of the youngest-ever World Drivers’ Champion.
8. Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso understands every layer of a race, from tires to timing to psychology. His hard work has shown through his numerous accolades, most notably being the sole racer to win the World Drivers’ Championship and the World Endurance Drivers' Championship. Not to mention, he also won the Le Mans race twice over the course of his career.
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9. Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda’s story is part speed, part toughness, and part stubborn refusal to be defined by setbacks. He raced throughout the 70s and 80s, winning three World Drivers’ Championship titles, and also held the record of the most podium finishes when he retired in 1985.
Fotograf: Lothar Spurzem on Wikimedia
10. Jackie Stewart
Sir John Young Stewart wasn’t only a champion, he was a force who pushed the sport to grow up about safety and professionalism. He combined top-tier pace with a willingness to challenge the status quo, even when it wasn’t popular. He held the record for most wins when he retired in 1973.
11. Jim Clark
James Clark won two World Drivers’ Championship titles in the 1960s. He made speed look effortless, like the car was simply doing what he asked without negotiation. If elegance mattered on the stopwatch, Clark would still be winning trophies today.
12. Jack Brabham
Sir John Arthur Brabham raced in Formula One between 1955 and 1970, winning 3 World Drivers’ Championship titles over the course of his career. Before his passing, he also co-founded the Brabham team, which also received numerous accolades throughout the 20th century. You can’t tell F1 history properly without giving him a full chapter.
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13. Nelson Piquet
Nelson Piquet could be unpredictable as a personality, but behind the wheel, he was relentlessly clever. He won with smarts and timing as much as outright flash, which made him dangerous over an entire season. Over the course of his career, he won 3 World Drivers’ Championships.
14. Mika Häkkinen
Nicknamed “the Flying Finn,” Mika Häkkinen had a clean, confident style that didn’t need a lot of extra theater to feel impressive. He raced for 10 years, winning the World Drivers’ Championship title in 1998 and 1999.
15. Kimi Räikkönen
Kimi Räikkönen, or “the Iceman,” brought a no-nonsense vibe that somehow made his great drives feel even sharper. Between 2001 and 2021, he won 21 Grands Prix and 1 World Drivers’ Championship.
16. Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi hit the champion conversation fast and proved he belonged there. Racing between 1970 and 1980, he won 2 World Drivers’ Championships, 14 Grand Prix, and even won the Indianapolis 500.
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17. Graham Hill
Graham Hill’s greatness is wrapped up in adaptability, scoring wins in different cars, different conditions, and different kinds of pressure. He’s also one of those drivers whose career feels bigger than just stats, thanks to his identity as a true all-around competitor. There’s a reason he gained the nickname “Mr. Monaco.”
18. Alberto Ascari
Alberto Ascari represents an early version of what modern dominance looks like: calm execution paired with serious winning power. His name sits near the foundation of the sport’s champion lineage, and that alone carries weight.
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia
19. Nigel Mansell
Nigel Mansell raced from 1980 to 1995. His championship season came after years of fighting, setbacks, and the kind of persistence that would break most people. At the time of his retirement, he had 31 Grand Prix races and 1 World Drivers’ Championship under his belt.
20. Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti’s F1 title is only one part of why his name carries so much respect in racing culture. He had the kind of broad, serious talent that travels across categories, yet still left a clear mark on the world championship stage. During his 14-year career, he won multiple races from America to European soil.
