2021 has already seen some impressive, competitive racing this year, and we write this eagerly anticipating upcoming Grands Prix in Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Qatar. Becoming a Formula One driver is the dream of many children at stage, and for some this dream actually becomes a reality! We love the feeling it gives us, hearing the rev of the engine, watching eagerly as our heroes race around the track at unbelievable speed; the Grand Prix is just something else. This year we have seen many different winners already, such as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, just to name a few. If we look back at the record of all Grands Prix however, who comes out on top? Who is really the greatest racer of all time? Lucky for you, we have done the looking so you don’t need. Continue on to discover the rankings of the greatest F1 racers of all time. Some of the names might even surprise you.
Who Are The Greatest Formula One Racers Of All Time
9. Jim Clark, United Kingdom (Lotus)
Our first joint-ninth racer is legendary Jim Clark, a Scottish man who was a part of the Lotus team. Clark entered 73 races in total and was victorious in 25 of them, some feat! His first win was at the 1962 Belgian Grand Prix, 2 years after his first entry. His final win came at the 1968 South African Grand Prix, before tragedy struck. While racing in West Germany, his vehicle (Lotus 48) veered off track and crashed into the trees. Unfortunately Clark died from his injuries. The 1968 F1 Drivers’ Championship was won that year by Lotus colleague Graham Hill, who dedicated the win to Clark. We are sure he would have been much higher up the list had this fatal event not occurred.
Jim Clark
9. Niki Lauda, Austria (March, BRM, Ferrari, Brabham, McLaren)
Austrian F1 driver Andreas ‘Niki’ Lauda was a true legend of the sport. Having won 25 Grands Prix, he had a long healthy career between 1971-1985. His first win came in 1974 at the Spanish Grand Prix, with his final win coming in the year he retired, at the 1985 Dutch Grand Prix. At the 1976 German Grand Prix Lauda had a near-miss when his Ferrari 312T2 burst into flames. Luckily, he survived and recovered well enough that he was ready to compete once again at the Italian Grand Prix only 6 weeks later! What a man.
Niki Lauda
8. Jackie Stewart, United Kingdom (BRM, Matra, March, Tyrrell)
Sitting at number 8 is Sir John ‘Jackie’ Young Stewart, a great British racer. Stewart is often referred to as the “Flying Scot”, for some superior driving during his active years. During 1965 and 1973 he won three World Drivers’ Championships, finishing runner-up twice. His first win came at the 1965 Italian Grand Prix, with his final win coming in 1973 at the German Grand Prix. Stewart’s career ended with 27 wins in total, a respectable amount that leaves him in a respectable position. Since retirement Stewart has been instrumental in improving the safety of motor racing; campaigning for improved medical care and track upgrades.
Jackie Stewart
7. Nigel Mansell, United Kingdom (Lotus, Williams, Ferrari, McLaren)
Worcestershire-born racer Nigel Ernest James Mansell sits at number 7, quite comfortably too. He was active from 1980-1995, competing for a number of teams. Mansell finished his career in 1995 at McLaren, the same year he entered his final race, the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix. His first win was at the 1985 European Grand Prix, 5 years after his first entry at the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix. Mansell won 31 races all in all and deserves his place on this list.
Nigel Mansell
6. Fernando Alonso, Spain (Minardi, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine)
Alonso’s entry here gives us a break from all these Brits! Fernando Alonso Diaz is originally from Oviedo and has thus far competed in 331 races. He has won 2 championships in 2005 and 2006 and won 32 Grands Prix. His first win came in the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, with his most recent coming in the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. He is still competing, with his most recent entry being at the 2021 United States Grand Prix, so you will probably see him in the upcoming Grands Prix too. Maybe he can end a streak of bad luck and get onto the podium!
Fernando Alonso
5. Ayrton Senna, Brazil (Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams)
The greatest Brazilian racer of all time, Senna’s circumstances were tragic as he was taken from us much too soon. The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix was his final entry, and the place where tragedy struck. In a competition where Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed just a day before, Senna experienced the same fate when his car crashed at top speed into a concrete wall. At the age of 34 Senna had won 41 Grands Prix, the first coming in 1985 at the Portuguese Grand Prix. We wonder how far he could have gone.
Ayrton Senna
4. Alain Prost, France (McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, Williams)
Prost is the greatest French racer of all time, finishing his career with 51 Grands Prix wins from a 13 year career between 1980 and 1993. His first win came on home soil at the 1981 French Grand Prix, with his final at the 1993 German Grand Prix. He held the record for most Grand Prix victories until Michael Schumacher usurped him at the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix. He is remembered for his high-profile rivalry with Ayrton Senna. Prost acted as a pallbearer at Senna’s funeral, citing that the competition between the two helped them reach the heights that they accomplished.
Alain Prost
3. Sebastian Vettel, Germany (BMW, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin)
A successful racer who currently ranks at number 3, Vetter is the second best German racer of all time. Vettel is the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 and has won 53 Grands Prix. He began racing in 2007 and is still challenging at the top today. His first win came in 2008 at the Italian Grand Prix. with his most recent coming in 2019 at the Singapore Grand Prix. Will he add to his success in the coming Grands Prix?
Sebastian Vettel
2. Michael Schumacher, Germany (Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes)
The greatest German racer of all time, he only marginally loses out on the number 1 spot. Schumacher has 91 Grands Prix wins, with the first coming in 1992 at the Belgian Grand Prix. The most recent came in 2006 at the Chinese Grand Prix. Schumacher hasn’t competed since 2012 and in 2013 was severely injured in a skiing accident. While skiing he fell and hit his head on a rock, despite wearing a helmet. His recovery has been slow, but improving very slowly.
