# Top 11 Karting Champions Who Made It to F1

> World champions and cult heroes who all sharpened their craft on the kart track long before the big leagues. Where do you stand?

*By YPB Team · Published June 20, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/top-11-karting-champions-who-made-it-to-f1*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Michael Schumacher** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Seven-time F1 champion who won the 1987 CIK-FIA European karting title before his ascent.
2. **Lewis Hamilton** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 813/1000)
   Seven-time F1 champion and 2000 karting world cup winner who rose through CIK-FIA ranks.
3. **Lando Norris** — 0% (0 votes · score 517/1000)
   McLaren F1 star who claimed multiple CIK-FIA karting world titles as a junior.
4. **Daniil Kvyat** — 0% (0 votes · score 517/1000)
   F1 race winner who shared the 2009 European karting podium on his way up.
5. **Carlos Sainz Jr.** — 0% (0 votes · score 423/1000)
   F1 race winner who graduated from CIK-FIA karting alongside his 2009 rivals.
6. **Jarno Trulli** — 0% (0 votes · score 423/1000)
   F1 race winner and 1991 World Karting Champion famed for his one-lap pace.
7. **Sebastian Vettel** — 0% (0 votes · score 423/1000)
   Four-time F1 champion and 2001 European junior karting titlist.
8. **Max Verstappen** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   Multiple F1 champion and the only driver to win a CIK-FIA gearbox karting world title.
9. **Jenson Button** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   2009 F1 world champion and 1997 European Super A karting champion.
10. **Charles Leclerc** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   Ferrari F1 driver and decorated junior karting champion from Monaco.
11. **Nyck de Vries** — 0% (0 votes · score 310/1000)
   Former F1 driver and CIK-FIA OK karting world champion.

Tags: formula 1, racing, drivers, motorsport