Top 5 Greatest F1 drivers from the United Kingdom

We will take a look at he greatest F1 drivers to have emerged from the United Kingdom. For a majority of Formula 1 history, drivers and teams form the UK have dominated the sport like no other. With 14 drivers’ titles spread across 10 drivers and 37 constructors’ titles spread across 9 teams, the nation is arguably the most successful ever.The nation has produced several great drivers who have cemented their place in history, here we take a look at the top 5 greatest drivers ever from the U.K..

#5 Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s aggressive racing style and his great overtaking skills have made him one of the greatest drivers of the present generation.

Getting a dream debut with McLaren in 2007, he stormed into the F1 scene by achieving second place in the drivers’ standings. Then in 2008, after a thrilling season finale in Brazil, he finally clinched the coveted world title.

He then remained competitive over the subsequent seasons, but could not clinch another title. Now in 2014, with Mercedes who have provided him with a championship worthy car, he seems to be ever closer to another world title, with only hurdle being his teammate Nico Rosberg.

#4 Nigel Mansell

Mansell became widely known as one the greatest drivers of his era through his aggressive and fearless driving style. Although making his debut with Team Lotus in 1980, it would be with Williams in the mid 1980s and early 1990s that he would reach the immense heights his career achieved.

After coming close to winning the world title in 1986 and 1987, he finally got hold of it in 1992, a year in which he dominated the field and scored almost double the points than the championship runner-up.

#3 Sir Stirling Moss

Moss was highly successful in Formula 1 in the 1950s and is widely regarded as the greatest driver ever to have never won the championship.

He finished inside top three in the final drivers’ standings for seven consecutive seasons, but could not clinch the title due to bad luck, and also due to the fact that he was eclipsed by another F1 great Juan Manuel Fangio. In 1962, he suffered serious injuries, from which he could not recover and bade adieu to the sport that year.

#2 Sir Jackie Stewart

Stewart or the ‘The Flying Scot’ dominated Formula 1 in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He had car control like no other and coupled with his smooth driving style, he was class of the field during his era, even mastering such tracks as the Nurburgring, which required immense skill.

Stewart won his first world title in 1969 with Matra, and won two titles in 1971 and 1973 with Tyrell before retiring.

#1 Jim Clark

Clark alongwith Colin Chapman’s Team Lotus became the dominant force in Formula 1 in the 1960s. An introvert off the track, was completely opposite on the track with skills which could hardly be matched by any other driver at the time.

With 72 Grand Prix starts which includes 25 wins, 33 pole positions, 28 fastest laps and two drivers’ titles in 1963 and 1965, Clark became the most successful driver after Juan Manuel Fangio. If he hadn’t sadly died in 1968, he would easily have went on to add another multiple titles to his tally.