F1: 6 young drivers who are likely to win multiple world championships

The current Formula One championship revolves around Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel while the Formula One championship of the past is celebrated by the successes of Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Looking ahead into the future, the current teams are home to a slew of talent that is ready to break into the ranks of Formula One when given an opportunity. Development programs with the top teams combined with the increase in junior-level championships have helped raise a new breed of drivers who have decent amounts of experience behind the wheel at a very young age.

This directly helps in crowning world champions of the future. With the way the sport is shaping up, there are a multitude of youngsters who could go on to claim the championship at a very young age, and in this article, let us dive in deeper and look closer at six young drivers who could win multiple world championships in the not so distant future.

#6 Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly is having a decent first season with Toro Rosso

After spending a couple of years with Toro Rosso as a test driver, Pierre Gasly started the 2018 season as the first-choice driver. The Frenchman is having a decent year with the Red Bull junior team that saw him secure 28 points (until Japanese Grand Prix). Some of the races that showed glimpses of his talent include the iconic Monaco Grand Prix (seventh place), Bahrain Grand Prix (fourth place) and the Hungarian Grand Prix (sixth place).

Prior to Formula 1, the French driver won the GP2 championship in 2016. Gasly secured 219 points, amassing nine podiums and four wins. Also, he won the 2013 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0.

An impressive F1 stint so far, coupled with excellent performances in the past position Gasly as one of the few drivers who could go on to win multiple championships when placed in a competitive car.

#5 Max Verstappen

Verstappen secured the third place at the Japanese Grand Prix

The Red Bull driver takes the fifth spot on the list. Max Verstappen currently has 173 points and is fifth in the 2018 drivers championship table (until Japanese Grand Prix). The Dutch driver has had a consistent season with the team, and with a slightly faster car, he could well be on track to win multiple championships in the not so distant future.

His brilliance was seen during the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when he won the race on his Red Bull debut. After riding for the Red Bull junior team for a couple of years, he received his promotion in 2016 at the expense of Daniil Kvyat. Since then, the Dutchman never looked back and only grew from strength to strength.

An impressive third place at 2014 Formula 3 championship is yet another example of Verstappen's talent behind the wheel.

If Red Bull manages to bring back the pace that it found in the pre-hybrid era, Max Verstappen could turn out to be the man to beat in F1.

#4 Esteban Ocon

Ocon might not be a part of the 2019 Formula One season

Esteban Ocon currently plies his trade for Force India in the 2018 Formula One season. The French driver has had a decent season so far, amassing 49 points (until Japanese Grand Prix) in the drivers' championship. He has shown tremendous resolve and matched his experienced teammate Sergio Perez more often than not.

Ocon is a part of the Mercedes-Benz development program, and prior to his Formula One career, the Frenchman competed in various championships for well over five years. A Formula 3 championship and a GP3 championship are highlights of his career so far, which underline Ocon's championship-winning mentality.

However, Esteban Ocon might not find a ride for the 2019 season, which would only mean that the driver has to wait a little longer before realising his dreams of becoming a world champion.

#3 Charles Leclerc

Leclerc secured a drive for Ferrari next year

Charles Leclerc's first Formula One season with Sauber has seen a fair share of action, including some spectacular drives at Azerbaijan and Russia. Being a part of the Scuderia Ferrari development project, the Monegasque racing driver signed a deal with the company that ensured that he would drive alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2019.

Leclerc started the 2018 season on the back of highly successful campaigns in Formula 2 and GP3. He won the 2017 Formula 2 championship and the 2016 GP3 championship, showcasing his immense skill behind the wheel.

Like this year, it is all but certain that Ferrari would produce highly competitive cars in the near future, which would enable Leclerc to take a step on the podium on a consistent basis. Further down the line, there is a very good possibility that he would become a multiple Formula One world champion.

#2 Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz is another driver who shows a lot of promise and could well secure multiple world championship victories in the future. The Spaniard currently drivers for Renault but has recently signed a deal that ties him to McLaren for the 2019 Formula One season.

So far, Sainz managed to secure 39 points (until Japanese Grand Prix) and has put in some impressive performances throughout the season. Brilliant drives at Baku and Barcelona are prime examples of the same.

Prior to joining Formula One, Carlos Sainz tasted success in Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2014 and Formula Renault 2.0 NEC in 2011.

McLaren is struggling this year but that could all change if the engineering team manages to build a competitive car next season as Saniz in a fast car could well challenge the likes of current F1 greats.

#1 Lando Norris

Lando Norris will make his F1 debut in 2019

The current test-driver for McLaren, Lando Norris has recently signed a contract with the team that ensures he would replace Stoffel Vandoorne for the 2019 season. Also, the 18-year-old competes in the Formula 2 championship for the Carlin Motorsport team. The Briton is having a fantastic season and managed to secure eight podiums and a race win so far. Currently, he holds 197 points (Russian Grand Prix) and is in the third spot on the drivers' championship table.

Before his Formula 2 success, Lando Norris secured the 2017 Formula 3 title along with a host of other championships including the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Toyota racing series.

His future team, McLaren, is currently struggling and would need massive changes to be competitive again. If the team manages to bring back the pace of the former McLaren, Lando Norris would be raking in numerous wins on his journey towards becoming a multiple world champion.

Edited by Prathik R