# The 20 Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of All Time

> From death-defying legends of the 1950s to today's turbocharged prodigies, this grid spans eras, teams, and driving styles. Who takes pole position?

*By YPB Team · Published September 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-greatest-formula-1-drivers-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Michael Schumacher** — score 1000/1000
   Seven-time world champion whose relentless dominance with Benetton and Ferrari redefined modern F1.
2. **Lewis Hamilton** — score 855/1000
   Record-setting seven-time champion with the most wins and pole positions in F1 history.
3. **Max Verstappen** — score 660/1000
   Dutch prodigy who won four consecutive championships from 2021 to 2024.
4. **James Hunt** — score 660/1000
   Charismatic 1976 champion whose title fight with Lauda became legendary.
5. **Gilles Villeneuve** — score 610/1000
   Ferrari cult hero of the late 1970s remembered for spectacular, fearless overtakes.
6. **Nigel Mansell** — score 553/1000
   1992 champion known for his aggressive style and passionate British fanbase.
7. **Sebastian Vettel** — score 553/1000
   Four-time consecutive champion with Red Bull during the early 2010s.
8. **Stirling Moss** — score 488/1000
   Widely called the greatest driver never to win a title, celebrated for his sportsmanship.
9. **Alain Prost** — score 413/1000
   Four-time champion known as 'The Professor' for his calculated, tactical driving style.
10. **Ayrton Senna** — score 413/1000
   Three-time champion revered for his rain-mastery and fierce rivalry with Alain Prost.
11. **Jim Clark** — score 413/1000
   1960s Lotus legend and two-time champion considered one of the most naturally gifted drivers ever.
12. **Juan Manuel Fangio** — score 413/1000
   1950s Argentine great who won five titles with four different teams.
13. **Nelson Piquet** — score 413/1000
   Three-time Brazilian champion of the 1980s known for his tactical racecraft.
14. **Mika Hakkinen** — score 325/1000
   Two-time champion whose late-90s duels with Schumacher defined an era.
15. **Jackie Stewart** — score 222/1000
   Three-time champion and safety pioneer who transformed how F1 approached driver protection.
16. **Jenson Button** — score 222/1000
   2009 champion known for his smooth technique and tyre management.
17. **Fernando Alonso** — score 222/1000
   Two-time champion celebrated for his longevity and wheel-to-wheel racecraft.
18. **Niki Lauda** — score 222/1000
   Three-time champion who returned from a near-fatal 1976 crash to race again weeks later.
19. **Kimi Raikkonen** — score 0/1000
   2007 champion nicknamed the 'Iceman' for his famously deadpan radio calls.
20. **Alberto Ascari** — score 0/1000
   Dominant early-1950s Ferrari champion who won back-to-back titles.

Tags: sports, formula-1, racing, drivers, motorsport