Formula 1 is a hugely popular sport and is religiously followed by sports fans around the world. With a number of iconic names having jostled for position on the grid and a wide range of drivers having made it into the podium since the championship began in 1950, there are thousands upon thousands of statistics, both positive and negative, which have been collected and analysed by motorsport aficionados. We’ve picked out our 10 favourite driver records from across the last 70+ years.
Most F1 Wins – Lewis Hamilton (103)
Undoubtedly, the most important thing in this sport is to actually win races and Lewis Hamilton knows exactly how to take the chequered flag. Despite enduring a poor 2022 season, Hamilton claims he is ‘happier than ever’ and despite failing to win any of the first 17 races on the calendar, the majority of bookmakers remain cautious when pricing up the winning driver market. With 103 wins across the last 15 seasons, he is easily capable of bouncing back and although Max Verstappen is the in-form driver this year, many of the UK’s best betting sites still offer relatively short odds on the Hamilton to end his barren spell at some point. Regardless of his current issues, the Brit is likely to add to his impressive haul prior to retirement.
Most Races Without a Win – Andreas de Cesaris (214)
Every so often, an unfancied driver enjoys a little luck or perhaps even produces an unstoppable performance which results in an unexpected podium finish. However, many drivers leave F1 without ever experiencing the thrill of finishing in front. Nevertheless, Andreas de Cesaris tried 214 times without success. The Italian represented several constructors during his time at the top level, however, his wild style of driving meant that he failed to finish several races throughout his time in F1.
Youngest Race Winner – Max Verstappen (18 Years 228 Days)
In May 2016, Max Verstappen became the youngest ever driver to win an F1 race when he triumphed in Barcelona. At 18 years and 228 days, he was two and half years younger than the previous holder of this record, Sebastian Vettel. Having replaced Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull, Verstappen showed that he has an extremely bright future in the sport and has subsequently enjoyed plenty over 30 victories and looks set to reign supreme for many years to come.
Oldest Race Winner – Luigi Fagioli (53 Years 22 Days)
Unlike many of the other F1 records, this one is unlikely to ever be surpassed. The Italian, who was nicknamed the ‘Abruzzi Robber’ was victorious in 1951 at the age of 53 years and 22 days. He was the only winning F1 driver to have been born in the 19th century and never finished out of the top three in any of his seven appearances.
Most Pole Positions in a Single Season – Sebastian Vettel (15)
Although the aforementioned Lewis Hamilton has clinched the highest number of pole positions overall, it is Sebastian Vettel’s remarkable 2011 season which sets the record for most pole positions in a single year. He started in front on 15 occasions and unsurprisingly, he also clinched the Driver’s Championship that season.
Most Fastest Laps – Michael Schumacher (77)
Michael Schumacher enjoyed immense success during his career and although many of his records has since been surpassed, he still holds the record for the highest number of fastest laps. He clocked the fastest lap in around 25% of his races which helped him to secure 91 victories and seven Driver Championships during his stellar career.
Most Number of Races Prior to Scoring Points – Nicola Larini (44)
Although Nicola Larini enjoyed far greater success in the European Touring Car Championship, the Italian did manage to clock up 49 starts in Formula One. Despite his regular appearances, he earned just seven career points and picked up just a single podium finish. It took him 44 attempts before he scored his first points, which were accrued at the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Most Career Points without Winning the Championship – Valterri Bottas (1784)
Although he has made a poor start to the 2022 season, the Finn has enjoyed a successful career in F1. As of October 5th 2022, he’s accumulated an impressive 1784 points without winning the Driver’s Championship. Whilst he has been extremely consistent, he’s struggled to oust Lewis Hamilton and finished as a runner-up in both the 2019 and 2020 campaign before securing a third place finish in 2021.
Highest Number of Race Finishes – Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso (278)
Although this record is likely to be surpassed by Lewis Hamilton in the near future (he’s on 276), it is jointly held by both Kimi Raikonnen and Fernando Alonso. Across his two stints in F1, the Finn enjoyed plenty of success and broke the record for most starts at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix. He retired at the end of the 2021 campaign. Alonso, who is a two-time champion also enjoyed a successful career in F1 and remains the only Spanish driver to win the Driver’s Championship.
Fewest Seasons Prior to Maiden Championship Win – Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton (2)
It didn’t take Canadian Jacques Villeneuve long to make an impact in F1. Having made his debut in 1996, he enjoyed a number of battles with Williams team-mate Damon Hill as well as Michael Schumacher. After just one season at the helm, he became the first Canadian driver to win the Driver’s Championship. His feat was matched by Lewis Hamilton, who was victorious in 2008, just twelve months after making his Formula debut.