List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions
Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform.[2] The Formula One World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets.[3] The World Drivers' Championship is presented by the FIA to the most successful Formula One driver over the course of the season through a points system based on individual Grand Prix results.[4] The World Championship is won when it is no longer mathematically possible for another competitor to overtake their points total regardless of the outcome of the remaining races,[5] although it is not officially awarded until the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony held in various cities following the conclusion of the season.[6][7]
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most World Drivers' Championships, both having won the title on seven occasions. Juan Manuel Fangio is third with five titles.[8][9] Schumacher also holds the record for the most consecutive drivers' titles with five between the 2000 and the 2004 seasons.[10] Nigel Mansell holds the record of competing in the highest number of seasons before winning the World Championship, entering Formula One in 1980 and achieving the title in 1992, a span of 13 seasons.[11] Nico Rosberg has the highest number of Grand Prix starts before winning his first title, a period of 206 Grands Prix between the 2006 Bahrain and the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[12][13] Sebastian Vettel is the youngest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won the 2010 championship.[14] Fangio is the oldest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 46 years and 41 days old when he won the 1957 title.[15]
As of the 2024 season, out of the 777 drivers who have started a Formula One Grand Prix,[16] the 75 titles awarded have been won by a total of 34 different drivers.[8][9] The first Formula One World Drivers' Champion was Giuseppe Farina in the 1950 championship and the current title holder is Max Verstappen in the 2024 season.[8][9] The title has been won by drivers from the United Kingdom 20 times between 10 drivers, more than any other nation, followed by Brazil, Finland and Germany with three drivers each. The title has been won by drivers from Scuderia Ferrari 15 times between 9 drivers, more than any other team, followed by McLaren with 12 titles between 7 drivers.[8] The Drivers' Championship has been won in the final race of the season 30 times in the 75 seasons it has been awarded.[17] Schumacher holds the record of earning the championship with most Grands Prix left to run in a season with six when he won the 2002 title at that year's French Grand Prix.[18] Due to the points system, on two occasions (John Surtees in the 1964 season and Ayrton Senna in the 1988 season) a world champion scored fewer points overall than a driver who finished second in the championship.[19]
By season
| Bold | indicates the constructor also won the Constructors' Championship (awarded since 1958) |
|---|
- ^ a b The 1952 and 1953 season were run to Formula Two regulations.[23]
- ^ a b Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix with Maserati, then completed the season with Mercedes.[23]
- ^ Rindt's championship was confirmed two rounds after he had been killed in an accident during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.[23]
- ^ a b Schumacher scored 78 points during the 1997 season, 3 points behind Villeneuve, but was disqualified from the championship for deliberately colliding with Villeneuve in the final race of the season, the European Grand Prix.[48] This left Villeneuve with a 39-point margin over Frentzen with 42 points.[23]
By driver
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
By driver nationality
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Records
Youngest Drivers' Champion
| Driver | Age | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 years, 134 days | 2010 | |
| 2 | 23 years, 300 days | 2008 | |
| 3 | 24 years, 58 days | 2005 | |
| 4 | 24 years, 73 days | 2021 | |
| 5 | 25 years, 273 days | 1972 | |
| 6 | 25 years, 314 days | 1994 | |
| 7 | 26 years, 197 days | 1975 | |
| 8 | 26 years, 200 days | 1997 | |
| 9 | 27 years, 188 days | 1963 | |
| 10 | 28 years, 4 days | 2007 |
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their first win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Oldest Drivers' Champion
| Driver | Age | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 years, 41 days | 1957 | |
| 2 | 43 years, 308 days | 1950 | |
| 3 | 40 years, 155 days | 1966 | |
| 4 | 39 years, 262 days | 1968 | |
| 5 | 39 years, 8 days | 1992 | |
| 6 | 38 years, 214 days | 1993 | |
| 7 | 38 years, 193 days | 1978 | |
| 8 | 36 years, 26 days | 1996 | |
| 9 | 35 years, 313 days | 2020 | |
| 10 | 35 years, 242 days | 1984 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Consecutive Drivers' Championships
A total of 11 drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the World Drivers' Championship. Of those, only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have won two sets of consecutive Formula One Drivers' Championships.[8]
| Championships | Driver | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2000–2004 | |
| 4 | 1954–1957 | |
| 2010–2013 | ||
| 2017–2020 | ||
| 2021–2024 | ||
| 2 | 1952–1953 | |
| 1959–1960 | ||
| 1985–1986 | ||
| 1990–1991 | ||
| 1994–1995 | ||
| 1998–1999 | ||
| 2005–2006 | ||
| 2014–2015 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
Drivers' Champions for constructors that did not win the Constructors' Championship in that year
| Championships | Drivers[a] | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1981, 1983 | |
| 2021, 2024 | ||
| 1 | 1958 | |
| 1973 | ||
| 1976 | ||
| 1982 | ||
| 1986 | ||
| 1994 | ||
| 1999 | ||
| 2008 |
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
By chassis constructor
Constructors in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
| Constructor | Titles | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | 15 | 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 |
| McLaren | 12 | 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008 |
| Mercedes[a] | 9 | 1954,[a] 1955, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| Red Bull Racing | 8 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Williams | 7 | 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 |
| Lotus | 6 | 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1978 |
| Brabham | 4 | 1966, 1967, 1981, 1983 |
| Alfa Romeo | 2 | 1950, 1951 |
| Maserati[a] | 1954,[a] 1957 | |
| Cooper | 1959, 1960 | |
| Tyrrell | 1971, 1973 | |
| Benetton | 1994, 1995 | |
| Renault | 2005, 2006 | |
| BRM | 1 | 1962 |
| Matra | 1969 | |
| Brawn | 2009 | |
| 16 constructors | 75 titles[a] |
By engine manufacturer
Engine manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
| Manufacturer | Titles | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | 15 | 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 |
| Ford[a] | 13 | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1994 |
| Mercedes[b][c] | 1954,[b] 1955, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 | |
| Renault[d] | 11 | 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Honda | 6 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2021 |
| Climax | 4 | 1959, 1960, 1963, 1965 |
| TAG[e] | 3 | 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Alfa Romeo | 2 | 1950, 1951 |
| Maserati[b] | 1954,[b] 1957 | |
| Repco | 1966, 1967 | |
| Honda RBPT | 2023, 2024 | |
| BRM | 1 | 1962 |
| BMW | 1983 | |
| RBPT[f] | 2022 | |
| 14 manufacturers | 75 titles[b] |
- ^ Built by Cosworth.[60]
- ^ a b c d e Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix with Maserati, then completed the season with Mercedes. This shared championship is counted for each of these engine manufacturers.[23]
- ^ In 1998 and 1999 built by Ilmor.[61]
- ^ Built by Mecachrome.[62]
- ^ Built by Porsche.[63]
- ^ Built by Honda.[64]
By tyres used
Tyre manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2024 World Championship.
| Rank | Manufacturer | Titles | Seasons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Goodyear | 24 (7)[a] | 1966–1967, 1971, 1973–1978, 1980, 1982, 1985–1997 |
| 2 | P | Pirelli | 20 (14)[b] | 1950–1954,[c][d] 1957, 2011–2024 |
| 3 | B | Bridgestone | 11 (6)[e] | 1998–2004, 2007–2010 |
| 4 | D | Dunlop | 8 (4)[f] | 1959–1965, 1969 |
| 5 | M | Michelin | 6 | 1979, 1981, 1983–1984, 2005–2006 |
| 6 | F | Firestone | 4 | 1952,[d] 1968, 1970, 1972 |
| 7 | C | Continental | 2 | 1954[c]–1955 |
| E | Englebert | 1956, 1958 | ||
Numbers in parentheses indicate championships won as the sole tyre supplier.
- ^ Goodyear was the sole tyre supplier for the 1987, 1988 and 1992–1996 seasons.[65]
- ^ Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier since the 2011 season.[66]
- ^ a b Fangio competed in the 1954 Argentine and Belgian Grands Prix on Pirelli tyres, then completed the season on Continental. This shared championship is counted for each of these manufacturers.[23]
- ^ a b Ascari competed in the 1952 Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tyres, then completed the season on Pirelli.[67]
- ^ Bridgestone was the sole tyre supplier for the 1999, 2000 and 2007–2010 seasons.[68]
- ^ Dunlop was the sole tyre supplier for the 1960–1963 seasons.[65]
See also
References
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External links