F1 records: poles, wins and championships

The greats of every Formula 1 generation make up the majority of the lists but it’s Lewis Hamilton that owns the majority of driver records nowadays.

After 71 years of Formula 1 racing, there is an extensive history and list of record holders since the inaugural 1950 season started it all off.

The likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher have etched their names into history with several feats and records of their own.

A lower mortality rate than the sports early years and more races in the modern era means records have been eclipsed by newer faces, but the benchmarks continue to be beaten.

2021 could be another record-breaking season for Hamilton as he hones in on the all-time record for championships won. He is currently tied on seven with Schumacher but stands a good chance of clinching title number eight in 2021.

Some are still held by other all-time greats, with the less obvious statistics still bearing their name.

*All stats correct as of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix

Click on one of the following to jump to a specific statistic

Poles

One of Lewis Hamilton’s records that will take some beating, the Mercedes driver tops the list for pole positions by quite some distance. Sebastian Vettel is the closest of his contemporaries on 57, but the likes of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are well beneath the benchmark Hamilton continues to raise.

F1 pole position record-holders

Wins

Lewis Hamilton claimed this record at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix with one of his finest drives in recent memory. The previously high water mark left by Michael Schumacher that many thought untouchable at 91 has been surpassed, and there’s no reason why Hamilton couldn’t push the new record well into triple digits before he calls time on his career.

F1 race win record-holders

Fastest Laps

With the advent of point for fastest lap being introduced at the start of the 2019 season, there is more variety of drivers setting the fastest race lap during a grand prix. Michael Schumacher’s metronomic domination at Ferrari in the early 2000s still stands as the record for fastest laps at 77.

F1 championship record-holders

Podiums

Another Lewis Hamilton record to fall in his incredible seventh-title-clinching campaign, he holds the record for most podiums along with his pole positions and wins record. Michael Schumacher is still far out in front with the 155 throughout his career while Sebastian Vettel’s 121 could be added to further if he can recapture past form. Out of all the teams though, there is a clear leader out in front: Ferrari.

F1 podium record-holders

Championships

Tied at seven apiece, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are out in front as the two most successful drivers of all time when it comes to world titles. Hamilton will have a great chance of adding a record-breaking eighth to his name in 2021, if he can hold off Max Verstappen.

F1 championship record-holders

Starts

Kimi Räikkönen’s longevity in F1 is fuelled by his enjoyment of racing, or so he says. The Finn is currently racing in his 20th season with Alfa Romeo, though fellow mid-2000s world champion Fernando Alonso is set to overtake Rubens Barichello for second this year, with the Spaniard returning to F1 with Alpine in 2021.

F1 race start record-holders

Grand Slams

The hallmark of a dominant weekend, Jim Clark retains the record for most F1 grand slams. Pole, fastest lap, victory and every lap led of a race is an incredibly tough feat to achieve. In the modern era of F1, it is even rarer, with the additional point for fastest lap an appealing late-race option for teams inside the top 10.

F1 grand slam record-holders

Total Laps Led

At the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton overtook Michael Schumacher for the most laps led in F1. The Mercedes driver capped off another record-breaking race with victory over rival Max Verstappen, and the record is likely to be one of the toughest to beat after he’s stepped away from racing.

F1 laps led record-holders