Giuseppe "Nino" Farina was the first Formula 1 World Drivers' Champion, winning the inaugural title in 1950.
How many F1 drivers have won a race?
As of the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season, 114 unique drivers have won a Formula 1 Grand Prix race.
Out of the hundreds of drivers who've started a Grand Prix, this number really shows just how exclusive it is to snag a victory in the pinnacle of motorsport. Every win is a huge milestone in a driver's career, and it usually takes a mix of skill, strategy, and a seriously competitive car to reach the top step of the podium. Of course, this number changes with each passing season as new winners emerge.
Who is the oldest F1 driver in 2021?
In 2021, the oldest F1 driver was Kimi Räikkönen.
Born on October 17, 1979, Räikkönen turned 42 during the 2021 season while driving for Alfa Romeo. Known affectionately as "The Iceman," he was a World Champion in 2007 and wrapped up his amazing Formula 1 career at the end of that very season, which, honestly, felt like the end of an era for a lot of fans.
Who was the winner of the first drivers championship in 1950?
The winner of the first drivers' championship in 1950 was Giuseppe 'Nino' Farina.
Driving for Alfa Romeo, Farina grabbed the very first Formula 1 World Championship title, even though he was up against legendary drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio. His victory set the standard for future champions and solidified his spot in motorsport history as the sport's first-ever world champion.
Who has won F1 championship the most?
As of 2026, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most F1 World Championships, each with seven titles.
Schumacher won his seven titles between 1994 and 2004, including a super dominant period with Ferrari. Hamilton matched this incredible achievement in 2020, really showing off his consistent excellence with Mercedes over his career. Their shared record just proves they're two of the sport's most dominant figures.
Which F1 world champions are still alive?
As of 2026, 20 of the 34 Formula 1 World Champions are still alive.
This includes some truly iconic names from various eras, such as Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton. Niki Lauda was the most recent champion to pass away, back in 2019. If you want the complete, up-to-date list, you can always check out sites like Formula1.com.
Is Lewis Hamilton the best F1 driver ever?
While often debated, many consider Lewis Hamilton to be the best F1 driver ever, especially given his record-equalling seven World Championships and numerous other statistical achievements.
His consistency, adaptability across different regulations, and sheer number of wins and pole positions really build a strong case for him. Honestly, figuring out who's "best" is always super subjective, though. Plenty of valid arguments exist for other legends like Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who were just incredible in their own times.
Who was the best F1 driver of all time?
Determining the 'best' F1 driver of all time is subjective and always sparks a huge debate, but Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Ayrton Senna are consistently cited as the top contenders.
Schumacher's sheer dominance and tactical genius, Hamilton's incredible stats and his ability to adapt, and Senna's raw speed, charisma, and audacious driving style (who could forget that?) all make a really strong case. Ultimately, people usually pick their favorite based on personal preference and the era they followed most closely.
What records did Lewis Hamilton break this 2021?
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton notably became the first Formula 1 driver to achieve 100 Grand Prix victories.
He hit this historic milestone at the Russian Grand Prix. This win pushed his own record even further, really cementing his spot as the most successful Grand Prix winner in the sport's history. Plus, he kept extending his record for most pole positions that year, too.
Is Hamilton the best ever?
Many argue Lewis Hamilton is indeed the best F1 driver ever, primarily due to his unparalleled statistical achievements and sustained success across multiple eras.
As of 2026, he's got the records for most career wins (103), most pole positions (104), and he's tied with Michael Schumacher for the most World Championships (7). Honestly, these staggering numbers, plus his knack for performing under pressure and adapting to new car regulations, make a super strong case for him being the greatest of all time.
Is Lewis Hamilton better than Senna?
While a 2020 study by Formula 1 and AWS suggested Ayrton Senna was statistically the fastest driver, the debate over whether Lewis Hamilton is 'better' is complex, involving different eras and driving styles.
Senna was famous for his raw speed, incredible qualifying skills, and aggressive car control, especially when it was raining (he was a master, really). Hamilton, though, shows off amazing consistency, great race craft, and impressive longevity. It's tough to compare them directly because of the huge differences in car tech, safety standards, and the level of competition they faced throughout their careers.
