Greatest Formula One Drivers Ever

Speedyking 8,884 views 26 items 406 voters

F1 bios for all drivers in the list coming soon :D

The definitive list, not just who is in the fastest car, but the most influential, history-altering driver that has ever graced the most demanding of sports. Since Formula One's opening season in 1950 to the present decade an incredible array of talent has appeared, shone and even died in the hands of an F1 car. Sadly, since it is impossible to race Jeson Button against Schumacher (when he was good) or Senna againt Hamilton, this list is the best chance we have to decide once and for all.

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Ayrton Senna

1960

added by: Speedyking
“ Despite not winning as many championships as he would've liked, Ayrton Senna in my opinion; as a young, dedicated fan of the sport is the greatest driver ever to sit behind the wheel of an F1 car. He could always get the most out of any machine, even when driving for Toleman in his debut year he was *this* close to a maiden victory until the Monaco GP was abandoned due to rain - and he finished 2nd.
Nevertheless, Senna took his 1st victory the following year and drove for Lotus, McLaren & Williams until his death in 1994, when a suspected suspension failure caused him to crash 6 laps into the San Marino Grand Prix. It was the darkest hour in F1's history and was found with an Austrian flag stuffed in his racing overalls in memory of Roland Ratzenberger; who died in a crash the day before in only his 3rd race for the troubled Simtek Racing Team. His rivalry with Prost in the years 1988-1991 is arguably the best in all sporting memory and controversy was never far away. the film Senna is highly recommended to get the broad feel for just how great a driver he was.
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Fernando Alonso

1981

added by: Speedyking
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Jim Clark

1936

added by: Speedyking
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Michael Schumacher

1982

added by: Speedyking
“ Although certainly the most decorated F1 driver of all time; this does not necessarily make him the greatest, otherwise this list would be too easy. It is unquestionable that the years 2000-04 were total dominance for Schumacher; including the 2002 season where he finished every race on the podium and won the championship with 6 races still on the calendar. Nevertheless, one can't help but remember Schumacher having a car with a clear advantage and tyres specifically designed for him all season (plus his infamous team orders scandal in Austria). His 91 victiories,155 podiums, 68 pole positions and 7 world championships shine some light on just how talented a racing driver he is. However, his infamous comeback into F1 in 2010 has raised questions on Schumacher's genuine talent - overshadowed by his teammate, currently lying 15th in the drivers table and 1 return to the podium all hint that he is either 'past his prime' or benefitted extrodinarily from his Ferrari. Overall, there was a point where he was streaks ahead of the competition, but he lacked the genuine personality of a true great, often appearing cocky or getting DSQ'd for running into title rivals (Hill, Villeneuve and most recently Jean-Eric Vergne :P) His biggest criticism is that he chose to return and risk his reputation, that he has undeniably done. „
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Kimi Räikkönen

1979

added by: Speedyking
“ "Just Leave Me Alone. I know What To Do"

That he certainly proved in the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. His first time racing at the illustrious Dubai circuit though you would've guessed as the new Flying Fin took his first win since his comeback into Formula One. Of course there is far more to this talented driver than just that one race, having impressed since his first driver for Sauber in 2001, where he scored a point on his debut (though it was later found asleep 30 mins before the race start!)
This just goes to show how much of a character Raikkonen is, and always has been. During a 5 year stint with McLaren he enjoyed good times and bad ones too, winning his first GP in 2003 but suffering from dismal reliability in 2004 and missing out on the title every year. It wasn't until he replaced Schumacher at Ferrari in 2007 did Raikkonen cement his name in F1 history, somehow snatching the title from Alonso and rookie Hamilton as the McLaren duo squabbled between themselves, winning the championship by a mere point.Although similar success has eluded him of late, it's his personality that has given him the nickname 'Iceman' and lives a playboy lifestyle similar to that of James Hunt. He has also earned the reputation to the media as 'hard to work with' and more often than not answers questions in a blunt, no-nonsense manner. For me, he will always be a great just for telling Martin Brundle on live ITV coverage that he missed Pele giving Michael Schumacher a lifetime achievement award because "[he] was having a s**t" XD „
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Juan Manuel Fangio

1911

added by: Speedyking
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Alain Prost

1955

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Nigel Mansell

1953

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Jackie Stewart

1939

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Gilles Villeneuve

1950

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Mika Häkkinen

1968

added by: Speedyking
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Sterling Moss

added by: Speedyking
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Emerson Fittipaldi

1946

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Niki Lauda

1949

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Alberto Ascari

1918

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Mario Andretti

1940

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Graham Hill

1929

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Ronnie Peterson

1944

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James Hunt

1947

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Jochen Rindt

1942

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Jack Brabham

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Nelson Angelo Piquet

1985

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Lewis Hamilton

1985

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Jenson Button

1980

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Sebastian Vettel

1987

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Rubens Barrichello

1972

added by: Speedyking
“ How can a list of F1s top drivers not include Rubens! One of the longest serving, most constant drivers there has ever been. Long live the Rubens! - a clear fan.

Response: Because he go down in history for being Schumi's long serving butler with few race wins to his name. if i did top F1 drivers who played second fiddle then yes, Rubens would be top „
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