Top 20 Best F1 Drivers of all time: Part I

Before starting to write this list I could feel this might be controversial, this list is very much opinionated and every F1 fan has their own order of who was the best.

These 20 drivers that I am going to highlight over four articles demonstrate what it takes to make it at the pinnacle of motorsport.

They are what makes F1 great, winning world championships, being respected among fellow racing drivers and teams within the sport and of course being a favourite among the many fans that travel around the world to follow the sport.

This is my list in terms of the 20 best drivers in F1 history.

This first article highlights the drivers from 20th to 16th.

#20 Jenson Button

The Brit won the title in Brazil much to the delight of the British fans and of course his father the late John Button

This man has to be included. My favourite driver growing up and a man people were happy to see win a world championship.

After Honda Racing pulled out of F1 at the end of 2008 it looked like Jenson Button could be leaving the sport but with Ross Brawn buying the team, it went from strength to strength.

The car they had blew everyone else out of the water and it was just who out of Button and his teammate Rubens Barrichello would win the championship.

The Brit won the title in Brazil much to the delight of the British fans and of course his father the late John Button.

Button had a great ability to drive in the wetter conditions and to this day still hold the achievement of winning the best race ever in F1 history, Canada 2011.

Stats

World Championships – 1 (2009)

GP Entries - 309

GP Wins – 15

Podiums – 50

Last Win – 2012 Brazilian GP ( Also McLaren’s last win in F1)

#19 Graham Hill

At number 19 is Graham Hill, a two-time F1 world champion winning with BRM in 1962 and Lotus in 1968.

His fans still loved him, even when he looked to have raced too long past his prime. He may not have been the most naturally gifted driver but with sheer determination and courage he was able to come out on top.

When he passed away in 1975 he left behind his wife Bette, their two daughters and a son named Damon who you will all know also become a world champion.

Hill is also the only driver in history to complete the triple crown, Monaco GP, Indy 500 and Le Man 24hr.

Graham Hill was a popular personality during his time in the sport and certainly deserves a spot on the list.

Stats

World Championships – 2 (1962, 1968)

GP Entries - 179

GP Wins – 14

Podiums – 36

Last Win – 1969 Monaco GP

#18 Alberto Ascari

Alberto Ascari is number 18 on the list, the Italian won two world championships with his native Scuderia Ferrari team.

Alberto Ascari went on to become one of the sport's most loved and on track, most superior champions. His driving skills made one of the safest drivers in an era which was seen by many as the dangerous time in the sport.

He was also very superstitious, he avoided black cats and never allowed anyone else access to the briefcase that contained his racing apparel.

His unexplained fatal accident in 1955 had very tragic coincidences to his late father Antonio Ascari, a Grand Prix motor racing driver in the 1920’s.

He died at the same age as his father, on the same day of the month. Ascari has a list of honours named after him, none more so than the chicane at Monza, the home of the Italian GP.

He is an important driver in Ferrari’s history and Formula One’s.

Stats

World Championships – 2 (1952, 1953)

GP Entries - 33

GP Wins – 13

Podiums – 17

Last Win – 1953 Switzerland GP

#17 Giles Villeneuve

Giles Villeneuve is at 17 on the list and has to be one of the best drivers never to win a world championship.

He often claimed to have been born in 1952 but he took two years off his age to avoid being considered too old to make it at the highest level of motorsport.

The Canadian spent six years with the Scuderia Ferrari team and was often praised for his performances on track.

He is another driver that sadly lost his life behind the wheel, he passed away during the final qualifying session of the Belgium GP in Zolder in 1982.

Villeneuve is still remembered at Grand Prix race weekend especially at the Canadian GP, who named the circuit after him in 1982 shortly after his death.

I will leave you a quote from Niki Lauda about Villeneuve,

"He was the craziest devil I ever came across in Formula 1... The fact that, for all this, he was a sensitive and lovable character rather than an out-and-out hell-raiser made him such a unique human being".

Stats

World Championships – 0 (second in 1979)

GP Entries - 68

GP Wins – 6

Podiums – 13

Last Win – 1981 Spanish GP

#16 Jack Brabham

His great contribution to British motorsport and F1 was

At 16th is Jack Brabham. The Australian driver achieved three world championships during his time in the sport.

His first two titles he won with Coopers and his third in a Brabham, this made him the only driver to become champion in a car of his own make.

Jack Brabham’s, final victory came in the 1970 South African Grand Prix when he was 44 years old, this would turn out be his last season in the sport.

His great contribution to British motorsport and F1 was recognised in 1985 and he became Sir Jack Brabham, he was the first Formula One driver, to receive a knighthood. He passed away at his home in May 2014 at the age of 88.

Stats

World Championships – 3 (1959, 1960, 1966)

GP Entries - 128

GP Wins – 14

Podiums – 31

Last Win – 1970 South African GP

Also read the continuation of the series, Best F1 Drivers (15-11): Top 20 Best F1 Drivers of all time: Part II

Edited by Alan John