List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions
Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform.[2] The Formula One World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets.[3] The World Drivers' Championship is presented by the FIA to the most successful Formula One driver over the course of the season through a points system based on individual Grand Prix results.[4] The World Championship is won when it is no longer mathematically possible for another competitor to overtake their points total regardless of the outcome of the remaining races,[5] although it is not officially awarded until the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony held in various cities following the conclusion of the season.[6][7]
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most World Drivers' Championships, both having won the title on seven occasions. Juan Manuel Fangio is third with five titles.[8][9] Schumacher also holds the record for the most consecutive drivers' titles with five between the 2000 and the 2004 seasons.[10] Nigel Mansell holds the record of competing in the highest number of seasons before winning the World Championship, entering Formula One in 1980 and achieving the title in 1992, a span of 13 seasons.[11] Nico Rosberg has the highest number of Grand Prix starts before winning his first title, a period of 206 Grands Prix between the 2006 Bahrain and the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[12][13] Sebastian Vettel is the youngest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won the 2010 championship.[14] Fangio is the oldest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 46 years and 41 days old when he won the 1957 title.[15]
As of the 2023 season, out of the 775 drivers who have started a Formula One Grand Prix,[16] the 73 titles awarded have been won by a total of 34 different drivers.[8][9] The first Formula One World Drivers' Champion was Giuseppe Farina in the 1950 championship and the current title holder is Max Verstappen in the 2023 season.[8][9] The title has been won by drivers from the United Kingdom 20 times between 10 drivers, more than any other nation, followed by Brazil, Finland and Germany with three drivers each. The title has been won by drivers from Scuderia Ferrari 15 times between 9 drivers, more than any other team, followed by McLaren with 12 titles between 7 drivers.[8] The Drivers' Championship has been won in the final race of the season 30 times in the 72 seasons it has been awarded.[17] Schumacher holds the record of earning the championship with most Grands Prix left to run in a season with six when he won the 2002 title at that year's French Grand Prix.[18] Due to the points system, on two occasions (John Surtees in the 1964 season and Ayrton Senna in the 1988 season) a world champion scored fewer points overall than a driver who finished second in the championship.[19]
By season
Bold | indicates the constructor also won the Constructors' Championship (awarded since 1958) |
---|
- ^ a b The 1952 and 1953 season were run to Formula Two regulations.[23]
- ^ a b Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix with Maserati, then completed the season with Mercedes.[23]
- ^ Rindt's championship was confirmed two rounds after he had been killed in an accident during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.[23]
- ^ a b Schumacher scored 78 points during the 1997 season, 3 points behind Villeneuve, but was disqualified from the championship for deliberately colliding with Villeneuve in the final race of the season, the European Grand Prix.[48] This left Villeneuve with a 39-point margin over Frentzen with 42 points.[23]
By driver
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
By driver nationality
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Records
Youngest Drivers' Champion
Driver | Age | Season | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Sebastian Vettel | 23 years, 134 days | 2010 |
2 | Lewis Hamilton | 23 years, 300 days | 2008 |
3 | Fernando Alonso | 24 years, 58 days | 2005 |
4 | Max Verstappen | 24 years, 73 days | 2021 |
5 | Emerson Fittipaldi | 25 years, 273 days | 1972 |
6 | Michael Schumacher | 25 years, 314 days | 1994 |
7 | Niki Lauda | 26 years, 197 days | 1975 |
8 | Jacques Villeneuve | 26 years, 200 days | 1997 |
9 | Jim Clark | 27 years, 188 days | 1963 |
10 | Kimi Räikkönen | 28 years, 4 days | 2007 |
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their first win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Oldest Drivers' Champion
Driver | Age | Season | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 46 years, 41 days | 1957 |
2 | Giuseppe Farina | 43 years, 308 days | 1950 |
3 | Jack Brabham | 40 years, 155 days | 1966 |
4 | Graham Hill | 39 years, 262 days | 1968 |
5 | Nigel Mansell | 39 years, 8 days | 1992 |
6 | Alain Prost | 38 years, 214 days | 1993 |
7 | Mario Andretti | 38 years, 193 days | 1978 |
8 | Damon Hill | 36 years, 26 days | 1996 |
9 | Lewis Hamilton | 35 years, 313 days | 2020 |
10 | Niki Lauda | 35 years, 242 days | 1984 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Consecutive Drivers' Championships
A total of 11 drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the World Drivers' Championship. Of those, only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have won two sets of consecutive Formula One Drivers' Championships.[8]
Championships | Driver | Seasons |
---|---|---|
5 | Michael Schumacher | 2000–2004 |
4 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 1954–1957 |
Sebastian Vettel | 2010–2013 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2017–2020 | |
3 | Max Verstappen | 2021–2023 |
2 | Alberto Ascari | 1952–1953 |
Jack Brabham | 1959–1960 | |
Alain Prost | 1985–1986 | |
Ayrton Senna | 1990–1991 | |
Michael Schumacher | 1994–1995 | |
Mika Häkkinen | 1998–1999 | |
Fernando Alonso | 2005–2006 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2014–2015 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Drivers' Champions for constructors that did not win the Constructors' Championship in that year
Championships | Drivers[a] | Years |
---|---|---|
2 | Nelson Piquet | 1981, 1983 |
1 | Mike Hawthorn | 1958 |
Jackie Stewart | 1973 | |
James Hunt | 1976 | |
Keke Rosberg | 1982 | |
Alain Prost | 1986 | |
Michael Schumacher | 1994 | |
Mika Häkkinen | 1999 | |
Lewis Hamilton | 2008 | |
Max Verstappen | 2021 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
By chassis constructor
Constructors in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Constructor | Titles | Season(s) |
---|---|---|
Ferrari | 15 | 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 |
McLaren | 12 | 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008 |
Mercedes[a] | 9 | 1954,[a] 1955, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Williams | 7 | 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 |
Red Bull Racing | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023 | |
Lotus | 6 | 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1978 |
Brabham | 4 | 1966, 1967, 1981, 1983 |
Alfa Romeo | 2 | 1950, 1951 |
Maserati[a] | 1954,[a] 1957 | |
Cooper | 1959, 1960 | |
Tyrrell | 1971, 1973 | |
Benetton | 1994, 1995 | |
Renault | 2005, 2006 | |
BRM | 1 | 1962 |
Matra | 1969 | |
Brawn | 2009 | |
16 constructors | 75 titles[a] |
By engine manufacturer
Engine manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Manufacturer | Titles | Season(s) |
---|---|---|
Ferrari | 15 | 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 |
Ford[a] | 13 | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1994 |
Mercedes[b][c] | 1954,[b] 1955, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 | |
Renault[d] | 11 | 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
Honda | 6 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2021 |
Climax | 4 | 1959, 1960, 1963, 1965 |
TAG[e] | 3 | 1984, 1985, 1986 |
Alfa Romeo | 2 | 1950, 1951 |
Maserati[b] | 1954,[b] 1957 | |
Repco | 1966, 1967 | |
BRM | 1 | 1962 |
BMW | 1983 | |
RBPT[f] | 2022 | |
Honda RBPT | 2023 | |
14 manufacturers | 75 titles[b] |
- ^ Built by Cosworth.[59]
- ^ a b c d e Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix with Maserati, then completed the season with Mercedes. This shared championship is counted for each of these engine manufacturers.[23]
- ^ In 1998 and 1999 built by Ilmor.[60]
- ^ Built by Mecachrome.[61]
- ^ Built by Porsche.[62]
- ^ Built by Honda.[63]
By tyres used
Tyre manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Rank | Manufacturer | Titles | Seasons | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | G | Goodyear | 24 (7)[a] | 1966–1967, 1971, 1973–1978, 1980, 1982, 1985–1997 |
2 | P | Pirelli | 19 (13)[b] | 1950–1954,[c][d] 1957, 2011–2023 |
3 | B | Bridgestone | 11 (6)[e] | 1998–2004, 2007–2010 |
4 | D | Dunlop | 8 (4)[f] | 1959–1965, 1969 |
5 | M | Michelin | 6 | 1979, 1981, 1983–1984, 2005–2006 |
6 | F | Firestone | 4 | 1952,[d] 1968, 1970, 1972 |
7 | C | Continental | 2 | 1954[c]–1955 |
E | Englebert | 1956, 1958 |
Numbers in parentheses indicate championships won as the sole tyre supplier.
- ^ Goodyear was the sole tyre supplier for the 1987, 1988 and 1992–1996 seasons.[64]
- ^ Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier since the 2011 season.[65]
- ^ a b Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix on Pirelli tyres, then completed the season on Continental. This shared championship is counted for each of these manufacturers.[23]
- ^ a b Ascari competed in the 1952 Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tyres, then completed the season on Pirelli.[66]
- ^ Bridgestone was the sole tyre supplier for the 1999, 2000 and 2007–2010 seasons.[67]
- ^ Dunlop was the sole tyre supplier for the 1960–1963 seasons.[64]
See also
References
- ^ "About FIA". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Williamson, Martin. "A brief history of Formula One". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Hughes, Mark; Tremayne, David (2002). The Concise Encyclopedia of Formula 1. Parragon. pp. 82–83. ISBN 0-75258-766-8.
- ^ "2020 Formula One Sporting Regulations" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 7 April 2020. pp. 3–4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ "How Lewis Hamilton can clinch 2019 F1 title at Mexican GP". Fox Sports. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Murphy, Luke (8 December 2018). "Hamilton & Mercedes F1 officially crowned at FIA Prize Giving Ceremony". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Morlidge, Matt (7 December 2019). "Lewis Hamilton officially crowned 2019 F1 champion at FIA gala". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Diepraam, Mattijs (3 November 2019). "European & World Champions". 8W. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Drivers' Championships". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "World Champion titles Consecutively". Stats F1. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Lynch, Steven (5 November 2010). "At the tenth time of asking". ESPN. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (2 December 2016). "Nico Rosberg retires: World champion quits Formula 1 five days after title win". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "World Champion titles Grand Prix before". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "On this day: Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest Formula One champion". Sport360. 13 November 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Lynch, Kevin (19 August 2015). "1957: Oldest Ever F1 World Champion". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Grands Prix chronology". Stats F1. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Decisive – Chronology – Drivers championship". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Esler, William (25 October 2015). "The earliest drivers' championship wins in F1 history". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "What happened the last time F1 used dropped scores?". The Race. 12 April 2020. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Race results". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Nino Farina". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Juan Manuel Fangio". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jones, Bruce (2015). The Story of Formula One: 65 Years of Life in the Fast Lane. London, England: Carlton Books. pp. 29, 33, 37, 119, 343. ISBN 978-1-78177-270-6.
- ^ a b "Alberto Ascari". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Mike Hawthorn". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Jack Brabham". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Phil Hill". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Graham Hill". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Jim Clark". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "John Surtees". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Denny Hulme". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Jackie Stewart". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Jochen Rindt". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Emerson Fittipaldi". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Niki Lauda". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "James Hunt". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Mario Andretti". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Jody Scheckter". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Alan Jones". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Nelson Piquet". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Keke Rosberg". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Alain Prost". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Ayrton Senna". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Nigel Mansell". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Michael Schumacher". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Damon Hill". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Jacques Villeneuve". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Lynch, Steven (30 April 2010). "Schumacher's disqualification, and pole position". ESPN. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Mika Häkkinen". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Fernando Alonso". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Kimi Räikkönen". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lewis Hamilton". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Jenson Button". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Sebastian Vettel". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ "Nico Rosberg". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Max Verstappen". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Verstappen secures third F1 world title as Piastri takes Sprint victory in Qatar". Formula1.com. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ a b "World Champion titles by age". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Cosworth's Gearing Up For F1 Return In 2021". CarScoops. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Tytler, Ewan (3 January 2001). "Ilmor: Bowmen of the Silver Arrows". Atlas F1. 7 (1). Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "New contract for Renault, Mecachrome". Crash. 24 November 2007. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Perkins, Chris (31 May 2019). "Porsche Was Working on a Formula 1 Engine for 2021". Road & Track. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Honda and Red Bull extend power unit support deal until 2025". www.formula1.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b White, John (2008) [2007]. The Formula One Miscellany (Second ed.). London, England: Carlton Books. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-84732-112-1 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Kalinauckas, Alex (25 November 2018). "Pirelli secures tender to supply Formula 1 tyres until 2023". Autosport. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ Michalik, Art (19 May 2020). "Ferrari's on-again, off-again love affair with the Indianapolis 500". The ClassicCars.com Journal. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Bridgestone Awarded 'Bolster' for F1 Technical Achievements". Tyre Press. 8 December 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
External links