Motorsport is all about pushing yourself and your car to the absolute limit. Over the decades, Formula 1 records have tumbled as drivers have pushed harder, engines have become more powerful and the cars, inevitably, faster.
Achievement in F1 is spread between constructors and drivers. Over decades in the sport, teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Williams have broken Formula 1 records with consistently quick cars and the fastest drivers.
But inside the cockpit, certain drivers have applied themselves to break personal Formula 1 records. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton top many of these tables – and we’ve already compared how the two shape up against each other. Watch our video here.
Here, you will find the Formula 1 records for most championships race wins, pole positions, race entries for both teams and individuals. If you want to know more about the youngest drivers to win championships, races, points and podiums, read our article here.
List of Formula 1 records
Most Drivers’ World Championships
As of the 2023 season, and despite Max Verstappen’s current domination, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are tied with seven titles apiece. The German was dominant at the turn of the century, winning five titles on the bounce with Ferrari. These were in addition to his double world championships with Benetton in the ’90s. It was a record that looked unassailable. However, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ dominance in the hybrid era turned the motorsport world on its head.
Hamilton replaced Schumacher at Mercedes after the German’s retirement at the end of 2012. Since then, Hamilton has only failed to win the championship on two occasions: his first Mercedes season in 2013, and 2016, when he lost out to teammate Nico Rosberg. Those six titles, along with his maiden championship in his second season with McLaren, make him the joint-most successful driver ever.
Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five titles in the 1950s stood the test of time. The first great driver of the Formula 1 era, he finished 1st or 2nd in the championship in the first seven seasons he entered. His record stood until 2003 when Schumacher clinched his 6th title. Alain Prost’s battles with Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet earned him four titles. As did Sebastian Vettel’s absolute dominance with Red Bull in the early 2010s.
Most Constructors’ World Championships
As the longest-serving team in Formula 1, it’s no surprise to see Ferrari sitting atop the Constructors’ Championship table. Omnipresent in Formula 1 since its first season in 1950, the Scuderia has become a symbol for the sport. But it’s one thing to turn up to every race, it’s another to win them. For decades, the Scarlet Red Ferrari has been at the front of the grid, and it has won the Constructors’ title 16 times, along with producing the Drivers’ champion on 15 occasions. Its’ world champions include Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hil, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher and, most recently, Kimi Raikkonen.
There’s a gulf between first and second in this list. Williams has been present in Formula 1 since 1977 and took its nine titles throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Keke Rosberg, Alain Prost and Damon Hill are among some of its driver champions. McLaren’s won the constructors’ title on 8 occasions, but produced the drivers champion 12 times, including Lewis Hamilton. He tied up six of Mercedes’ seven titles, with teammate and rival Nico Rosberg taking the other.
Most Grand Prix Victories (driver)
When he first stepped into a Formula 1 car, the paddock knew this guy was special. But when Lewis Hamilton took his first victory in Canada in 2007, no one expected what would follow. Lewis Hamilton stormed to a record 103 victories. However, Hamilton hasn’t won a race since Saudi Arabia in 2021, as Red Bull’s Flying Dutchman has put a stop to his flow of victories…
Max Verstappen’s record-breaking season has knocked Ayrton Senna off the fifth and Alain Prost off fourth and, in the last race of the season, Sebastian Vettel off third. Not a bad season for the 26-year old driver.
Schumacher’s 91 wins came mostly with Ferrari, including a near-perfect year in 2002. He took 11 victories, five 2nd place finished and a single 3rd place. Sebastian Vettel’s record with Red Bull and his title pushes with Ferrari earn him the third spot, currently level with Verstappen – for now…
Most Grand Prix Victories (constructor)
As you might expect, the teams with the most championships also make up the teams with the most victories. Ferrari remains way out in front and is the only constructor to take more than 200 race victories.
However, the last few years have seen Red Bull enjoy a period of absolute domination. The Austrian team broke the record for consecutive Formula 1 race victories at the Hungarian Grand Prix, making it 12 in a row and counting. The record was previously held by McLaren and had stood since 1988.
Most pole positions (driver)
In terms of pole positions, there’s a clear winner. Lewis Hamilton is the first driver to reach triple-digit pole positions. He secured his 100th pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2021. His nearest rival is Michael Schumacher, but with 68 pole positions, it doesn’t come close to the British driver’s total.
Most pole positions (constructor)
Schumacher’s 58 pole positions for Ferrari place the Scuderia at the top of this table. Their last pole position came courtesy of Charles Leclerc, who nabbed pole from around his home track at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. They are the only team to reach the 200 pole positions mark.
