List of Formula One drivers

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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.[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 São Paulo Grand Prix, there have been 777 Formula One drivers from 41 different nationalities who have started at least one of the 1,122 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 105,[11] the most pole positions with 104,[12] the most points with 4829.5,[13] and the most podiums with 201.[14] Fernando Alonso has entered more Grands Prix than anyone else (401) and also holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts (398).[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 Franco Colapinto, who debuted at the 2024 Italian 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]

  1. ^ "About FIA". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  2. ^ Williamson, Martin. "A brief history of Formula One". ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. ^ Hughes, Mark; Tremayne, David (2002). The Concise Encyclopedia of Formula 1. Parragon. pp. 82–83. ISBN 978-0-7525-8766-0.
  4. ^ "2020 Formula One Sporting Regulations" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 7 April 2020. pp. 3–4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b "F1 Stats Zone – Results by Driver". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  6. ^ "All-Time Calendar". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Statistics Drivers - Grands Prix - Number". www.statsf1.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  8. ^ "British GP is secure: Ecclestone". BBC Sport. 20 June 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  9. ^ Diepraam, Mattijs (3 November 2019). "European & World Champions". 8W. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Drivers' Championships". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  11. ^ Diepraam, Mattijs; Young, Rob (13 December 2020). "World Championship Grand Prix wins". 8W. Forix. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Pole Positions By Number". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  13. ^ Diepraam, Mattijs; Fisher, Alan (13 December 2020). "Total World Championship points". 8W. Forix. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Podiums By Number". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Statistics Drivers – Grands Prix – Chronology of the record". statsf1.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  16. ^ "United Kingdom – Drivers". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  17. ^ Takle, Abhishek (20 March 2022). Holmes, Sam (ed.). "Motor racing-China's first F1 driver Zhou celebrates dream debut". Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Grands Prix chronology". Stats F1. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Results". Formula1.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.