List of Formula One drivers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform.[2] Each year, the F1 World Championship season is held. It consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets.[3] Drivers are awarded points based on their finishing position in each race, and the driver who accumulates the most points over each championship is crowned that year's World Drivers' Champion.[4] As of the 2024 British Grand Prix, there have been 776 Formula One drivers from 41 different nationalities who have raced in at least one of the 1,113 FIA World Championship races since the first such event,[5][6][7] the 1950 British Grand Prix.[8]
Seven-time champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most championships.[9][10] Hamilton also holds the record for the most wins with 104,[11] the most pole positions with 104,[12] the most points with 4749.5,[13] and the most podiums with 200.[14] Fernando Alonso has entered more Grands Prix than anyone else (393) and also holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts (389).[15] The United Kingdom is the most represented country, having produced 163 drivers.[16] Ten countries have been represented by just one.[5] China became the latest country to be represented by a driver when Zhou Guanyu made his Formula One debut at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix driving for Alfa Romeo.[17] The most recent driver to make their Formula One debut is Oliver Bearman, who debuted at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[18]
This list includes all drivers who have entered a World Championship race, including participants of the Indianapolis 500 between 1950 and 1960 when it was part of the World Championship (although not being run according to Formula One rules or sanctioned by the FIA).[19]
- Juan Manuel Fangio won five titles in the 1950s, and won 24 of the 51 races he started.
- Sebastian Vettel won four world titles in 2010–2013, all with Red Bull.