It’s challenging to rank the best Formula 1 drivers of all time in any precise order because technology has evolved a great deal over the years, and a driver’s success also depends in part on the team he drives for.
Today, let’s look at some iconic F1 drivers … we will even talk about CBD for athletes and drivers, such as Justbob’s products.
Michael Schumacher
Well, up there in first place is Michael Schumacher, the most significant racing driver of all time. The German was a dominant force in the 1990s and early 2000s. He won two world championships in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton, then 5 consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004 with Scuderia Ferrari.
Schumacher retired in 2006 but made a brief comeback in 2010 with Mercedes. He accumulated several major records during his illustrious career, including 91 victories in 208 races, 5 consecutive world championships and victory by the most significant margin (67 points). It’s hard to argue with the ‘Red Baron’ domination.
Unfortunately, the well-deserved retirement of this exceptional driver began with a tragedy. He had spent many years skirting danger on the racetracks, but a skiing accident at Méribel in 2013 plunged him into a coma. Six years after his accident in 2019, Michael Schumacher’s health remains secret.
Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda, born in Austria in 1949, is widely regarded as one of the bravest drivers of all time, having returned to the racetrack 42 days after suffering a dramatic accident at the Nürburgring in 1976.
He first drove for the March and British Racing Motors teams before joining Scuderia Ferrari in 1974, with whom he won 2 world championship titles in 1975 and 1977. He won his 3rd world championship with McLaren ahead of Alain Prost in 1984.
In addition to these 3 titles, Niki Lauda scored 25 victories, 54 podium finishes and 24 pole positions during his career. His story was told in the 2013 film “Rush”, honouring his incredible talent and unwavering attitude during competitions and in his life in general.
Alberto Ascari
Alberto Ascari raced at a time when there weren’t enough safety measures in Formula 1, but he earned a reputation as one of the best drivers in the world thanks to his smooth driving at the wheel of a Ferrari. He won back-to-back F1 championships in 1952 and 1953.
To explain just how exceptional Alberto Ascari was, we need only summarise his 1952 season. He won no less than 6 out of a total of 8 races in the F1 Championship that year, a success rate of 75%! This total domination was never repeated and enabled Ferrari to win its 1st title at the highest level.
In total, he won 13 of the 32 races in which he took part and was renowned for the incredible precision of his driving, which made him one of the safest drivers in the history of this dangerous sport.
Damon Hill
Damon Hill was the first son of a world champion (Graham Hill) to win the famous title. It was in 1996 with the Williams team. Before winning this title, he had already finished 3rd in 1993 and 2nd in 1994 and 1995 behind the legendary Michael Schumacher.
21 of his 22 career victories were with the Williams team, which he eventually left in 1996 despite winning the title that year. With a total of 42 podium finishes from 115 race starts, Damon Hill deserves his place among Formula 1’s most significant drivers.
Unfortunately for him, his career straddled 2 generations of highly talented drivers, such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher. Without Schumacher, he would have won 3 consecutive world championships. After a spell with Arrows, he finally retired in 1999.
Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen, nicknamed “Iceman” for his somewhat reserved temperament and ability to keep his cool in all kinds of situations, began his great Formula 1 career in karting. In this sport, he made his name in the 1990s before making an encouraging start in Formula 1 with Sauber in 2001.
Kimi Raikkonen’s career has been prosperous, with 21 victories, 103 podium finishes, and 1 F1 World Championship won in 2007. As he celebrates his 40th birthday in 2019, this extraordinary driver is still active and continues to prove that age does not prevent talent from expressing itself.
Ayrton Senna
Senna belongs on this list. e scored 65 pole positions in 161 races. That’s an incredible score of over 40%!
This legendary Brazilian was a driver who always touched the limits of his car. He retired his car on 50 occasions, 19 of them because of an accident.
He became a 3-time world champion and achieved his first podium of his rookie season with an incredible drive in a very wet Monaco with a very uncompetitive car. You can watch this historic event in the video below.
One of Senna’s most famous videos is the first lap of a wet Donnington circuit in 1993. You can watch it below.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is a British racing driver who drives in Formula 1 for Mercedes. Six times world champion driver, including 5 times in the last 6 years with Mercedes, he is now considered the best driver of his generation and one of the most significant drivers in the sport’s history.
He is still active today, but his list of achievements could become legendary. At the end of 2019, he had scored 83 victories from 248 Grand Prix starts, 150 podium finishes and 87 pole positions. As Damon Hill himself says, no British driver has ever been as good. And yet, the UK has had some exceptional drivers!
If Lewis Hamilton’s record continues to grow, he’ll end up at the top of this ranking! Even his idol, Ayrton Senna, would undoubtedly be impressed by his achievements.
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