There are four races left in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Tension is rising between the leading drivers, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Verstappen has dominated the front of the standings, winning three world titles in the last three years. This year, he could collect his fourth title.
1) Lewis Hamilton #44
Hamilton is arguably the best driver in F1 history, holding seven world titles, 105 wins, 201 podiums, 104 pole positions and 352 race starts. His career stands out amongst other drivers in the sport.
With a longevity of 17 years in the sport, Hamilton ranks in the top five. He has driven with the Mercedes team for most of his time in the sport after starting his career driving for McLaren from 2007 to 2012.
Next season, he will be driving for the team Scuderia Ferrari or the famous red race car. His career has not yet come to an end, and Hamilton claims to still be chasing the eighth world title, which he could win at Ferrari. That is why he is ranked first.
2) Michael Schumacher #5
The Ferrari legend was the first driver to set the kinds of records he did. Since then, Hamilton has tied or broken some of those said records. Schumacher takes responsibility for most of Ferrari’s wins.
He dominated the early 2000s as he was a naturally skilled driver known for his speed and race craft. A reigning champion in the years 1994-95 and 2000-04, totaling 91 wins, 155 podiums and 308 races, Schumacher was one of the biggest figures in the sport of F1.
Schumacher’s underdog story from the Benneton F1 team to racing for Scuderia Ferrari will be remembered for ages. He ended his career with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team and built the team from 2010-12 into the eight-time Formula 1 constructor champions they are today.
3) Ayrton Senna #12
The Brazilian driver passed away in a fatal accident at the Imola Grand Prix in 1994. However, before passing, he left his mark on the sport of F1.
Senna managed to achieve three world titles in the years 1988, 1990 and 1991. In his 10 years, he claimed 41 wins, 65 poles, 80 podiums, 161 starts, and scored more than 600 points.
With a successful career during the time that he had, it is apparent that Senna could have done so much more in the sport of F1. His willingness to take risks on the track when racing and off the track with stewards made him a remarkable driver who could have executed more.
4) Sebastian Vettel #5
Vettel was a phenom when he hit the racetrack. When he was at the top step of the podium at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in his first full-time season in 2008 he became the then-youngest winner in F1 history. He still holds the record as the youngest driver to win a world title, as he claimed his first in 2010 at the age of 23.
He has four championships in consecutive years from 2010-13 with Red Bull Racing. He won 53 races, stepping on the podium 122 podiums in 300 races across 16 seasons of F1.
Vettel would drive for Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin before retiring at the end of 2022, never matching the success he found early in his career. His early season matches the success Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing found in the early 2020s.
5) Alain Prost #2
Even though Prost obtained four world titles, ranking him higher than fifth was not possible. He won back-to-back titles from 1985-86 and two more in 1989 and 1993. Alongside his titles, Prost accumulated 51 wins, 106 podiums and 33 poles in 199 starts.
The French driver was Senna’s biggest competitor with their rivalry leading to title-deciding collisions in 1989 and 1990. Unfortunately, his career was full of conflict and controversy, as he signed with a new team because of the bitter relationship he had with his teammate at the time.
Ferrari sacked him from the team due to speaking poorly of the car and these unpleasant moments took away from his considerable achievements.
