Who is the Greatest F1 Driver of All Time?

When it comes to Formula 1, there is always a debate over who is “the greatest” between popular names such as Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and others. But one person, Lewis Hamilton, comes above the rest. Hamilton has broken many records during his ongoing career. His consistency is unlike any other drivers, making a case of Hamilton being the greatest F1 driver in history.

Lewis Hamilton comes from Stevenage, England, and he made his Formula 1 debut in 2007 for Mclaren. He finished third in his first ever Grand Prix. By 2008, Hamilton won his first ever World Championship at just 23 years old, being the youngest driver ever. In 2013, Hamilton moved teams, switching to Mercedes. Over the next decade, Hamilton would continue to dominate F1 racing, earning many wins, pole positions, and world championships, but what exactly makes him different from other F1 drivers?

Career Wins:
Hamilton has the most Grand Prix wins in F1 history, breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins. As of now, Lewis Hamilton has 105 Grand Prix wins, more than any other driver.

Pole Positions:
Hamilton also leads in pole positions. Pole positions are defined as the fastest qualifying race; racers are able to earn a spot in front of the grid at the start of each race. With 104 pole positions as of now, Hamilton has the highest number of fastest qualifying laps in F1.

Podiums:
Lewis Hamilton has the most podium finishes (top 3 results in a race) in F1 history at 104. This shows that Hamilton does not only have the ability to drive a fast race; he can do it more consistently than any other F1 driver.

World Championships:
Hamilton and Shumacher are currently tied. Hamilton has won 7 F1 World Championships. F1 World Championships are determined by whichever racer has gained the most points at the end of the season. Points are awarded by the place earned by the end of the race. Unlike Schumacher, who had his last race in 2012, Lewis Hamilton is still an active F1 driver. Recently, in 2025, he moved from Mercedes to Ferrari and now has the chance to win more championships during his career, which would place him in the lead for F1 World Championships.

These statistics don’t lie. Hamilton’s dominance, consistency, and resilience on the track sets him apart from other racers. Whether the best is judged by stats, championships, or sport impact, Hamilton is at the top in all of these categories, earning his place as the best or one of the best racers in F1.

Works Cited

F1 Stats. (n.d.). STATS F1. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.statsf1.com/en/default.aspx
Jeffries, T. (2024, December 9). The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Senna & more. Autosport. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/whos-the-best-formula-1-driver-schumacher-hamilton-senna-more-4983210/4983210/
Formula 1. (2025, March 5). The 75 best drivers, key figures and more in F1 history. F1. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/the-75-best-drivers-cars-innovations-teams-and-key-figures-in-f1-history.6VcYXd7l9aI6fysNWtxFja