Formula 1 News: Ranking the best F1 drivers

F1 is the most popular form of motorsports in the world, with the most talented drivers. Who are the five most talented F1 drivers still alive?

–by Steven Rubinstein–

With the incredible thrill from the start, through the overtakes and onto the podium, it is not easy to get there. Formula One is an extremely complex sport that requires real skill.

Over the years, many F1 drivers have left their mark on the sport. Some of whom are the legends of the sport.

Number 1 – Max Verstappen

To say Max Verstappen is remarkable is an understatement. He is currently world champion. Incredibly talented, with an aggressive driving style that remains his trademark.

He is the youngest driver in the world to start a Grand Prix. He was then just 17 years old and soon thereafter became the youngest driver to ever win an F1 race.

In 2023 he became a three-time world champion and has completely dominated the sport the past two seasons in all conditions – wet or dry, hot or cold, street circuits or road racing circuits.

In this article, we list his major accomplishments in his March to Greatness.  His record speaks for itself and we won’t belabor it here.

Verstappen’s brilliance extends beyond mere statistics. His innate confidence and unyielding self-belief create a unique synergy with his driving skills, making him a force to be reckoned with on every lap. He doesn’t leave anything on the table, and he wants it all. That drives and motivates the team internally, and he is relentless in terms of his pursuit of performance. He just doesn’t want to win; he wants to dominate.

Number 2 – Lewis Hamilton

Sir Lewis Hamilton was the best driver in F1 until Max Verstappen came along.  He has become a motorsport icon, with his name known by millions and he has the largest and most ardent fanbase. He is well-spoken in a mild manner that endears him to everyone.

In only his second season in Formula One, he won his first championship, at the time with McLaren.

Over the years he has been rivals with some of the best F1 drivers such as Schumacher, Verstappen and Vettel.

Hamilton has the most pole positions and race wins than any F1 driver in history, but his record is somewhat tainted because the majority of his wins and championships came at a time when his car (Mercedes) had a significant power advantage over the other teams.

He has also become an influential figure outside the sport, getting involved in many social causes. In a few words, we can say that he is an example both in sport and in life. Hamilton likes gambling games from time to time. Motorsport is an interesting sport to place bets on. You can check out casino news by Legit.Casino, and find interesting things about placing bets and the casino industry.

Number 3 – Fernando Alonso

The versatility of this driver is truly incredible and continues to drive at a very high level despite being the oldest driver in F1 at 42.

This Spanish driver has numerous achievements in the field of motorsports – in F1 and at Le Mans. He almost won the Indy 500 in his first try if not for a blown engine late in the race while leading.

In wheel-to-wheel battles, his race craft is second to none.

Although Alonso is a good strategist in the car during a race, out of the car, not so much.

He has changed teams at all the wrong times, moving to teams who were underperforming.  As a result, he has only won two World Championships, and would have won more had he made the right career choices.

He drove for teams like McLaren, Ferrari and Renault and Aston Martin, each time managing to dominate his teammate. Dynamic and capable, this driver is a favorite of many around the world. He is one of the greatest drivers ever to drive in Formula 1, and our #3 best pick.

Number 4 – Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher’s success in Formula 1 is unrivaled, being the first to win seven world championships. However, his life drastically changed after a skiing accident in 2013, leading to a very private life under his family’s care.

This is a driver who has captured the hearts of all people who have touched the sport. Dedicated and with incredible skills, he won seven championships – tied with Lewis Hamilton as the most ever.

Dominating the sport with Ferrari, in the 2000s, he left a huge mark on the sport. He managed to get the most out of the cars and team, making them extremely dynamic and technical. He managed to turn the Ferrari team into a dominant force.

However, after a skiing accident, Schumacher did not return to the track. His condition is kept secret. Because his family won’t tell the world his real condition, many believe he lies in a vegetative state due to severe head trauma.

Until Lewis Hamilton came along with his powerful Mercedes powered cars, no one ever thought his record of most race wins, poles and fastest laps would ever be broken. Hamilton eventually broke Schumacher’s records, as the German lie bed-ridden, unable to respond.

Number 5 – Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel was an outstanding F1 driver. After his debut in 2007, he quickly found a place at the top. He managed to master the sport and win four straight World Championships in a car at the time better than his rivals.

It wasn’t until he had a teammate like Charles Leclerc did we see he was not the most talented to ever drive an F1 car.

Tactful and with a feel for the car, he managed to win many races, although he never was as talented as a Verstappen, Schumacher, Hamilton or Alonso.

He was a formidable rival for many drivers. He has a sportsmanlike character and is a crowd favorite.

There are many popular drivers in the world of Formula One. Juan Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda and Ayrton Senna to name a few are also legendary drivers. These men have left their mark on motorsport, but are no longer alive or racing today and were not considered in this ranking.