# Who is the best French karting champion who made it to Formula 1?

> From world champions to cult heroes and tragic talents, these racers all climbed from France's karting circuits to the Formula 1 grid. Who's the greatest? Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published June 29, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-french-karting-champion-who-made-it-to-formula-1*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Jean Alesi** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Fan favorite who raced 201 Grands Prix and won the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix for Ferrari.
2. **Jules Bianchi** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 912/1000)
   Highly rated karting and junior champion who raced for Marussia before his fatal 2014 crash.
3. **Alain Prost** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 912/1000)
   Four-time Formula 1 world champion who began in karting and is nicknamed The Professor.
4. **Romain Grosjean** — 0% (0 votes · score 789/1000)
   Karting graduate who took multiple podiums for Lotus and Haas in Formula 1.
5. **Jean-Pierre Jabouille** — 0% (0 votes · score 410/1000)
   Engineer-driver who gave Renault and turbo engines their first F1 win at the 1979 French Grand Prix.
6. **Esteban Ocon** — 0% (0 votes · score 228/1000)
   French karting standout who won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix for Alpine.
7. **Pierre Gasly** — 0% (0 votes · score 228/1000)
   Karting product who won the 2020 Italian Grand Prix with AlphaTauri.

Tags: france, formula 1, drivers, motorsport