Top 5 Best F1 Drivers of All Time: The Ultimate Legends of Formula 1

Formula 1 is such a racing sport that has been going on for years. You must have heard the names of Senna, Hamilton, and Schumacher if you have been following Formula 1 for a long time. These are all those drivers whose names are always associated with Formula 1. So all the drivers are the best in their own way, but on the basis of championships, records, and wins, some drivers come out on top. In this blog post today, we are going to learn about the top 5 best F1 drivers of all time. We will also investigate Senna's claim to be the best F1 driver, given his increased visibility on social media and in search results. So today we will discuss the best F1 drivers of all time, considering the data until 2025.

Ranking Criteria to choose best

For selecting the Top 5 Best F1 Drivers of All Time, certain criteria are focused upon. The criteria include the number of World Championships the driver has won, his win rate, his qualifying performance, and whether he finished in the top 5. And how much influence does he have on Formula 1? These parameters tell which driver is the best.

Different opinions regarding this matter are always visible on social media. Some fans judge on the basis of following, while others only on titles. But when it comes to the Best F1 Drivers of All Time, no driver can be considered the best just by thinking in one way. Because right now it is the case that some drivers have recently entered Formula 1, but their performance is very dangerous. Therefore, while it is appropriate to label some drivers as the best for the current period, only those who have competed across different eras and managed various levels of competition can be considered the greatest of all time.

For example, in Era Adjustment, Juan Manuel Fangio comes, who started Formula 1 in the 1950s; he remained in it for 8 years, and in this time he won titles and broke records as well. Overall, his stats were the best at that time. But after that, drivers like Lewis Hamilton also came in the modern era, who saw the era of the 90s and are still racing in Gen Z. Competition level, number of races, technology, and tracks have all changed now, so according to that, the benefits of this change are also a part of the ranking criteria.

1. Why is Lewis Hamilton called the Record-Breaker?

In 2007, Lewis made his entry into Formula 1. He was a young 22-year-old. Seeing his enthusiasm and talent, people started saying that he will continue until the end. People started considering him a special talent. Today, the iconic races he won for Ferrari are considered historical moments.

Lewis is the only F1 racer who has won the most number of races. He is the only one to win all 104 qualifying races. Apart from this, he has come on the podium 197 times. It means he has won 104 races; the remaining 93 times he has come in the top 5.

All these statistics show his longtime dominance. Lewis Hamilton had won 6 titles for Mercedes (2014–2020), which shows his greatness. This time, he is entering F1 2025 as a driver for Ferrari. This will be his eighth title fight.

Career Highlights 

🏆 7 Championships: 2008, 2014–15, 2017–2020

🚦 104 Pole Positions, 104 Race Wins (British Gap by 2025)

🥉 197 Podium Finishes, out of which 150 were with Mercedes only

Lewis Hamilton's impact

1. Lewis Hamilton holds the distinction of being the first F1 driver to win over 100 races and secure over 100 pole positions.
2. He was the first Black F1 driver who raised his voice for racial equality and equal opportunities in motorsport.
3. He has always tried to ensure that people from all genders and communities can participate in motorsport.
4. He has always given more importance to the environment. For this, he even sold his private jet to reduce carbon emissions.
5. He has always tried to provide scholarships, training, and outreach programs to people who do not have a strong background but are talented.

2. Michael Schumacher: Ferrari king and Formula 1's first global icon.

The biggest face of Formula 1 during the late 1990s and early 2000s was Michael Schumacher. He raced for Ferrari from 2000 to 2005 and won 5 races consecutively. His name has forever been etched in Ferrari's records and in the hearts of fans.

With his dedication, fitness, and racecraft, he has given a new identity to F1 racing. In 2004, Schumacher won 13 of the total 18 races, which is still considered a gold standard. Then he raced for Mercedes in 2010-12. He did not win a single race in these two years, but his presence made the Mercedes team strong. When Hamilton joined the team, he inherited a strong foundation that had been established by his predecessor, and he benefited from it.

Career highlights

🏆 7 Championships: 1994–95 (Benetton), 2000–2004 (Ferrari)

🚦 68 Pole Positions, 91 Race Wins

🥉 155 podiums, in which he gave the most consistent performance with Ferrari

The impact of Michael Schumacher

1. He was the king of Formula 1 before Lewis Hamilton's entry. He had the world record for most wins (91).
2. He has won the most titles with Ferrari, a total of 5 titles, and that too consecutively.
3. He introduced modern fitness and professional training standards in F1 races, similar to those in other sports.
4. In 2000-2004, his impact was such that if he came on the track, people would say that God had entered, and now he would win the race.
5. At that time, Schumacher's fashion was also quite iconic. His red, blue, and white pattern helmet with the German flag on it and his iconic bright red suit were the most popular. Seeing this combination, people would recognize that this is M. Schumacher.