List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions
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Formula One, F1 for short, is the absolute pinnacle of open-wheeled auto racing, defined by the strict rules of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, motorsport's global governing body. The "formula" itself? It's a precise set of regulations that every single participant and car must meticulously follow. A Formula One World Championship season is a thrilling series of races, known as Grands Prix, often held on purpose-built circuits, and sometimes on the dramatic backdrop of closed city streets. The ultimate prize, the World Drivers' Championship, is awarded by the FIA to the driver who proves most successful throughout the season, earning points based on their performance in each Grand Prix. A driver clinches the World Championship when it's mathematically impossible for any rival to catch their points total, even with all remaining races accounted for. Though, the official glory isn't bestowed until the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony, held after the season concludes.
When it comes to dominance, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton stand shoulder to shoulder, holding the record for the most World Drivers' Championships, each with an incredible seven titles. Following them is the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, a champion five times over. Schumacher also reigns supreme in consecutive titles, achieving an astounding five in a row between the 2000 and 2004 seasons. On the flip side, Nigel Mansell endured the longest wait, competing in 13 seasons before finally claiming the World Drivers' Championship in 1992, after first entering Formula One in 1980. And for the driver with the most Grand Prix starts before their maiden victory? That distinction belongs to Nico Rosberg, who waited a remarkable 206 races between his 2006 Bahrain debut and his 2016 Abu Dhabi triumph. Sebastian Vettel etched his name in history as the youngest ever World Drivers' Champion, a mere 23 years and 134 days old when he secured the 2010 title. Conversely, Juan Manuel Fangio holds the record as the oldest champion, a seasoned 46 years and 41 days when he won the 1957 championship.
As of the 2024 season, out of the 778 drivers who have graced a Formula One Grand Prix grid, a total of 34 different individuals have claimed the 75 awarded titles. The very first Formula One World Drivers' Champion was Giuseppe Farina in 1950, and the current holder of that prestigious title is Max Verstappen in the 2024 season. The United Kingdom has produced the most champions, with 20 titles won by 10 different drivers, more than any other nation. Brazil, Finland, and Germany follow, each with three drivers claiming the crown. On the constructor side, Scuderia Ferrari has celebrated 15 titles with 9 drivers, surpassing all others, with McLaren close behind with 12 titles from 7 drivers. The Drivers' Championship has been decided in the nail-biting final race of the season a remarkable 30 times across the 75 seasons it's been awarded. Michael Schumacher holds the record for securing the championship with the most Grands Prix still to run, a staggering six races remaining when he clinched the 2002 title at that year's French Grand Prix. It's worth noting that due to the points system, there have been two instances where a World Champion actually scored fewer points overall than the driver who finished second in the championship: John Surtees in 1964 and Ayrton Senna in 1988.
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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. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform. The Formula One World Championship season 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. The World Drivers' Championship is presented by the FIA to the most successful Formula One driver over the course of the season through a points system based on individual Grand Prix results. The World Championship is won by a driver when it is no longer mathematically possible for another competitor to overtake their points total regardless of the outcome of the remaining races, although it is not officially awarded until the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony (held in various cities in different years) following the conclusion of the season.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most World Drivers' championships, both having won the title on seven occasions. Juan Manuel Fangio is third with five titles. Schumacher also holds the record for the most consecutive World Drivers' titles with five between the 2000 and the 2004 seasons. Nigel Mansell holds the record of competing in the highest number of seasons before winning the World Drivers' Championship, entering Formula One in 1980 and achieving the title in 1992, a span of 13 seasons. Nico Rosberg has the highest number of Grand Prix starts before winning his first title, a period of 206 Grands Prix between the 2006 Bahrain and the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel is the youngest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won the 2010 championship. Juan Manuel Fangio is the oldest winner of the World Drivers' Championship; he was 46 years and 41 days old when he won the 1957 title.
As of the 2024 season, out of the 778 drivers who have started a Formula One Grand Prix, the 75 titles awarded have been won by a total of 34 different drivers. The first Formula One World Drivers' Champion was Giuseppe Farina in the 1950 championship and the current title holder is Max Verstappen in the 2024 season. The title has been won by drivers from the United Kingdom 20 times between 10 drivers, more than any other nation, followed by Brazil, Finland and Germany with three drivers each. The title has been won by drivers from Scuderia Ferrari 15 times between 9 drivers, more than any other team, followed by McLaren with 12 titles between 7 drivers. The Drivers' Championship has been won in the final race of the season 30 times in the 75 seasons it has been awarded. Schumacher holds the record of earning the championship with most Grands Prix left to run in a season with six when he won the 2002 title at that year's French Grand Prix. Due to the points system, on two occasions (John Surtees in the 1964 season and Ayrton Senna in the 1988 season) a world champion scored fewer points overall than a driver who finished second in the championship.
== By season ==
== By driver ==
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
== By driver nationality ==
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
== Records ==
=== Youngest Drivers' champions ===
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their first win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
=== Oldest Drivers' champions ===
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their last win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
=== Consecutive Drivers' championships ===
A total of 11 drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the World Drivers' Championship. Of those, only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have won two sets of consecutive Formula One Drivers' championships.
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
=== Drivers' Champions for constructors that did not win the Constructors' Championship in that year ===
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
== By chassis constructor ==
Constructors in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
== By engine manufacturer ==
Engine manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
== By tyres used ==
Tyre manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2025 World Championship.
Numbers in parentheses indicate championships won as the sole tyre supplier.
== See also ==
History of Formula One
List of Formula One driver records
List of Formula One drivers
List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
FIA official website
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