Formula 1 World Champions
Picture by Cord Rodefeld
Every racing driver dreams of bearing the “F1 World Champion” title at least once. For some, one title is enough, but 3 or more championships are the baseline for select drivers.
Here you can see the list of every Formula 1 World Champion in chronological order:
Giuseppe Farina
Champion in 1950
Picture in Public Domain
Giuseppe Farina, known for his smooth driving style, clinched the inaugural F1 World Championship in 1950 with Alfa Romeo.
Juan Manuel Fangio
Champion in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
Picture in Public Domain
Juan Manuel Fangio, the “Maestro” of racing, dominated the early F1 era, securing titles in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957 with Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
Alberto Ascari
Champion in 1952, 1953
Picture in Public Domain
Alberto Ascari, Ferrari’s first champion, achieved back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953, showcasing his precision and speed.
Mike Hawthorn
Champion in 1958
Picture in Public Domain
Mike Hawthorn, Britain’s first F1 champion, won the 1958 title with Ferrari, known for his gentlemanly demeanor and fierce competitiveness.
Jack Brabham
Champion in 1959, 1960, 1966
Picture by Harry pot
Jack Brabham, the innovative Australian, won championships in 1959 and 1960 with Cooper, and in 1966 with his own Brabham team, exemplifying engineering prowess and driving skill.
Phil Hill
Champion in 1961
Picture in Public Domain
Phil Hill, the first American F1 champion, secured the 1961 title with Ferrari, demonstrating technical acumen and consistency.
Graham Hill
Champion in 1962, 1968
Picture in Public Domain
Graham Hill, the only driver to achieve the Triple Crown of Motorsport, won F1 titles in 1962 with BRM and 1968 with Lotus, known for his charisma and determination.
Jim Clark
Champion in 1963, 1965
Picture in Public Domain
Jim Clark, a natural talent, dominated with Lotus, winning championships in 1963 and 1965, remembered for his smooth and fast driving style.
John Surtees
Champions in 1964
Picture in Public Domain
John Surtees, the only person to win world championships on two and four wheels, clinched the 1964 F1 title with Ferrari, showcasing versatility and skill.
Dennis Hulme
Champion in 1967
Picture in Public Domain
Denny Hulme, the “Bear” from New Zealand, won the 1967 championship with Brabham, known for his calm demeanor and consistent performances.
Jackie Stewart
Champion in 1969, 1971, 1973
Picture in Public Domain
Jackie Stewart, the “Flying Scot,” secured titles in 1969, 1971, and 1973 with Matra and Tyrrell, advocating for driver safety and precision driving.
Jochen Rindt
Champion in 1970
The only driver to win posthumously.
Picture by Joost Evers
Jochen Rindt, the only posthumous champion, won the 1970 title with Lotus, remembered for his raw speed and daring overtakes.
Emerson Fittipaldi
Champion in 1972, 1974
Picture in Public Domain
Emerson Fittipaldi, Brazil’s first F1 champion, clinched titles in 1972 with Lotus and 1974 with McLaren, known for his smooth driving and strategic acumen.
Niki Lauda
Champion in 1975, 1977, 1984
Picture in Public Domain
Niki Lauda, the resilient Austrian, overcame adversity to win championships in 1975 and 1977 with Ferrari, and in 1984 with McLaren, exemplifying determination and technical insight.
James Hunt
Champion in 1976
Picture in Public Domain
James Hunt, the charismatic Englishman, won the 1976 title with McLaren, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and fierce competitiveness.
Mario Andretti
Champion in 1978
Picture by Raimund Kommer
Mario Andretti, America’s racing icon, secured the 1978 championship with Lotus, showcasing versatility across racing disciplines.
Jody Scheckter
Champion in 1979
Picture by Lothar Spurzem
Jody Scheckter, South Africa’s only F1 champion, won the 1979 title with Ferrari, known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style.
Alan Jones
Champion in 1980
Picture in Public Domain
Alan Jones, Australia’s tough competitor, clinched the 1980 championship with Williams, remembered for his determination and straightforward approach.
Nelson Piquet
Champion in 1981, 1983, 1987
Picture by Pagina 3
Nelson Piquet, the strategic Brazilian, won titles in 1981 and 1983 with Brabham, and in 1987 with Williams, known for his tactical racing and technical feedback.
Keke Rosberg
Champion in 1982
Picture in Public Domain
Keke Rosberg, the Finnish driver with a flair for speed, secured the 1982 championship with Williams, known for his aggressive driving and adaptability.
Alain Prost
Champion in 1985, 1986, 1989, 1933
Picture by Rob Croes
Alain Prost, the “Professor,” won titles in 1985, 1986, and 1989 with McLaren, and 1993 with Williams, renowned for his analytical approach and smooth driving.
Ayrton Senna
Champion in 1988, 1990, 1991
Picture by Instituto Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian legend, clinched championships in 1988, 1990, and 1991 with McLaren, celebrated for his raw speed and intense focus.
Nigel Mansell
Champion in 1992
Picture by Stuart Seeger
Nigel Mansell, the determined Brit, won the 1992 title with Williams, known for his aggressive driving and never-give-up attitude.
Michael Schumacher
Champion in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Picture by unknown author
Michael Schumacher, the German maestro, dominated with titles in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton, and from 2000 to 2004 with Ferrari, setting numerous records with his relentless pursuit of perfection.
Damon Hill
Champion in 1996
Picture by Martin Lee
Damon Hill, following his father’s legacy, secured the 1996 championship with Williams, known for his smooth driving and resilience.
Jacques Villeneuve
Champion in 1997
Picture by Legends of Motorsport
Jacques Villeneuve, the Canadian talent, won the 1997 title with Williams, known for his bold overtakes and fearless racing.
Mika Häkkinen
Champion in 1998, 1999
Picture by André Zehetbauer
Mika Häkkinen, the “Flying Finn,” clinched back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren, celebrated for his speed and calmness under pressure.
Fernando Alonso
Champion in 2005, 2006
Picture by Mark McArdle
Fernando Alonso, the relentless competitor from Spain, claimed F1 World Championships in 2005 and 2006 with Renault.
Kimi Räikkönen
Champion in 2007
Picture by Morio
Kimi Räikkönen, the “Iceman,” secured the 2007 title with Ferrari, known for his cool demeanor and raw speed.
Lewis Hamilton
Champion in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Picture by Morio
Lewis Hamilton, the British sensation, won championships in 2008 with McLaren, and in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 with Mercedes, setting numerous records with his exceptional talent and determination.
Jenson Button
Champion in 2009
Picture by Phil Guest
Jenson Button, the smooth operator, clinched the 2009 title with Brawn GP, known for his adaptability and strategic acumen.
Sebastian Vettel
Champion 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Picture by Morio
Sebastian Vettel, the German prodigy, dominated with Red Bull, winning four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013, known for his precision and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Nico Rosberg
Champion in 2016
Picture by Renan Katayama
Nico Rosberg, the meticulous German, secured the 2016 championship with Mercedes, known for his strategic mind and determination.
Max Verstappen
Champion in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Picture by Morio
Max Verstappen, the Dutch dynamo, clinched titles in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with Red Bull, known for his aggressive driving and fearless overtakes.
The story of Formula 1 is written by its champions—drivers who dared to dream, pushed the limits, and left an indelible mark on motorsport history. As you’ve seen, each name on this list carries a legacy of grit, skill, and triumph that resonates far beyond the track.
The pursuit of the championship is what fuels Formula 1’s relentless spirit—a spirit that connects generations of fans and drivers alike. While this page honors the legends of the past, it also sets the stage for the champions yet to come. Who will rise next to join this elite league? Only time will tell, but the passion for racing will never waver.