Fernando Alonso Vs Kimi Raikkonen Vs Lewis Hamilton: A Statistical comparison

The most talked about TrioFernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton are this year’s most talked about drivers. With only five races remaining this season, these drivers have so far remained the talk of town for various reasons like next year speculation, out of form driving and championship contenders. So let’s delve into the racing history of the trio and what best way than to do a statistical comparison of the three to point out their illustrative careers.

#1 Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso

Regarded by many as the greatest all-round driver in the sport, the two times world champion is titled as 200 % performance giver as well Racing Monster. Alonso made the foray into F1 in 2001 for Minardi and following a test driver role for a year with Renault, Alonso got a racing seat in 2003 for the same team and never looked back.

Year	Team	Race	Race Started	Won	Podium	Highest Finish	Pole Positions	Points Scored
2001	Minardi	17	16	0	0	10	0	0
2003	Renault	16	16	1	4	1	2	55
2004	Renault	18	18	0	4	2	1	59
2005	Renault	19	18	7	15	1	6	133
2006	Renault	18	18	7	14	1	6	134
2007	McLaren	17	17	4	12	1	2	109
2008	Renault	18	18	2	3	1	0	61
2009	Renault	17	17	0	1	3	1	26
2010	Ferrari	19	19	5	10	1	2	252
2011	Ferrari	19	19	1	10	1	0	257
2012	Ferrari	20	20	3	13	1	2	278
2013	Ferrari	19	19	2	9	1	0	242
Total		217	216	32	95		22	1606

#2 Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen

The silent but extremely fast Kimi Raikkonen made an eye turning debut to the sport in 2001 with Sauber and moved to the mighty McLaren the very next year. Following a stint of 5 years with the team he moved to Ferrari in 2007 replacing the legend Schumacher. Posting great results, the iceman came to the last race of 2007 season being third in the drivers standing, but won the race and the title following a strategy blunder on the part of Hamilton. Although he had to wait a month for the confirmation of the results as McLaren complained to the governing body regarding the legality of some cars.

Year	Team	Race	Race Started	Won	Podium	Highest Finish	Pole Positions	Points Scored
2001	Sauber	17	16	0	0	4	0	9
2002	McLaren	17	17	0	4	2	0	24
2003	McLaren	16	16	1	10	1	2	91
2004	McLaren	18	18	1	4	1	1	45
2005	McLaren	19	18	7	12	1	5	112
2006	McLaren	18	18	0	6	1	3	65
2007	Ferrari	17	17	6	12	1	3	110
2008	Ferrari	18	18	2	9	1	2	75
2009	Ferrari	17	17	1	5	1	0	48
2012	Lotus	20	20	1	7	1	0	207
2013	Lotus	17	17	1	8	1	0	183
Total		194	193	20	77		16	969

#3 Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton

From an early age, Lewis Hamilton attracted attention as a potential F1 champion and he did not disappoint. Equipped with an assured racing style which belief his years, Hamilton rose rapidly through the ranks.

Year	Team	Race	Race Started	Won	Podium	Highest Finish	Pole Positions	Points Scored
2007	McLaren	17	17	4	12	1	6	109
2008	McLaren	18	18	5	10	1	7	98
2009	McLaren	17	17	2	5	1	4	49
2010	McLaren	19	19	3	9	1	1	240
2011	McLaren	19	19	3	6	1	1	227
2012	McLaren	20	20	4	5	1	7	190
2013	Mercedes	19	19	1	12	1	5	189
Total		129	129	22	54		31	1102

#4 A Comparison

Both Kimi and Alonso made their debut in the year 2001 while the younger Hamilton came into scene in 2007. While Alonso became 2 time world champion in 2005 and 2006, Kimi took the title from the two in 2007 with rookie Hamilton coming this close to claim the title. Hamilton the very next year realised his potential by claiming the title in 2008.

Fernando Alonso after winning the 2005 World Championship

Alonso defended his title successfully in 2006

The ever consistent Alonso is not only the double world champion but is also credited with ending the dominance of Schumacher. A controversial pairing with Hamilton in 2007 saw him falling out with Ron Dennis followed by 2 years behind the uncompetitive Renault. With a coveted move to Ferrari in 2010, Alonso still remains in the pursuit of that ever elusive third world champion title with the same rigour as the first one.

2007 Champion Kimi Raikkonen

The silent but extremely fast Kimi Raikkonen made an eye turning debut to the sport in 2001 with Sauber and following a stint of 5 years with Mclaren moved to Ferrari in 2007 replacing the legend Schumacher. Posting great results, the iceman came to the last race being third in the drivers standing, but won the race and the title following a strategy blunder on the part of Hamilton. Although he had to wait a month for the confirmation of the result as McLaren complained to the governing body regarding the legality of some cars.

Lewis Hamilton after winning the 2008 Championship

Hamilton missed the title by just 1 point in his rookie year, but claimed the title in 2008. Regarded as the last of thoroughbred racers, Hamilton is often praised and criticised for his aggressive racing style. With many a years remaining in his F1 career as well as a few more championship winning years, he remains the driver to watch for years to come and who knows he may add one more to his tally this year.