Who is the best one-time Formula 1 world champion?

Sixteen drivers reached the top exactly once. Some were the best of their era; some caught a season that broke their way.

1

Kimi Raikkonen

Took the 2007 crown for Ferrari by one point in the Brazilian finale.

1000pts

2

Nico Rosberg

Beat Lewis Hamilton in 2016 and retired five days later.

862pts

3

Nigel Mansell

Dominated 1992 in the Williams FW14B after years of near-misses.

776pts

4

James Hunt

Beat Niki Lauda by a point in the 1976 finale at a rain-soaked Fuji.

596pts

5

Alan Jones

Williams' first world champion, in 1980.

517pts

6

Jenson Button

Champion in 2009 with Brawn GP, a team built from Honda's ashes.

517pts

7

Mario Andretti

Won the 1978 title for Lotus with six victories, five of them in the Lotus 79.

423pts

8

Jody Scheckter

Ferrari's 1979 champion, and the last until 2000.

423pts

9

Phil Hill

Took the 1961 crown for Ferrari, the first American to do it.

423pts

10

John Surtees

The only man to win world titles on two wheels and four, champion in 1964.

423pts

11

Keke Rosberg

Won the 1982 title with a single race victory in the most chaotic season on record.

423pts

12

Damon Hill

The 1996 champion and the first son of a champion to win the title.

423pts

13

Mike Hawthorn

Britain's first world champion, in 1958, with a single win all season.

310pts

14

Denny Hulme

The Bear from New Zealand, champion for Brabham in 1967.

172pts

15

Jochen Rindt

Formula 1's only posthumous champion, crowned after his death at Monza in 1970.

172pts

16

Jacques Villeneuve

Won the 1997 title in his second season, having already taken the Indy 500.

172pts