F1 records: poles, wins and championships

Many have made a name for themselves in F1, but only a select few have chiselled their name into its history books but owning one (or many) jaw-dropping records.

The incredible longevity and talent of Lewis Hamilton means he is at the top of mosts lists, alongside the likes of Michael Schumacher, Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna. But the rise and dominance of Max Verstappen means the young Dutchman is slowly beginning to eclipse some of the series’ most sought after records – all at the age of just 25 years old.

Following a record-breaking year in 2022, Verstappen now holds multiple single-season records and is well on his way to achieving the same feats again in 2023, but now raising the bar even higher.

But some are still held by other all-time greats, with the less obvious statistics still bearing their name.

*All stats correct as of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix

Click on one of the following to jump to a specific statistic

Poles

One of Lewis Hamilton’s records that will take some beating, the Mercedes driver tops the list for pole positions by quite some distance. Michael Schumacher is the closest rival on 68, but the likes of Ayrton Senna and Sebastian Vettel are well beneath the benchmark Hamilton continues to raise.

Verstappen’s current tally sits at 32.

F1 pole position record-holders

Wins

Lewis Hamilton claimed this record at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix with one of his finest drives in recent memory. The previously high water mark left by Michael Schumacher that many thought untouchable at 91 has been surpassed, and there’s no reason why Hamilton couldn’t raise the bar even higher if Mercedes are able to recapture some of its former glory. But both drivers should be wary of Max Verstappen, after the Dutchman scored 34 race wins in the last two seasons — surpassing Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.

As for constructors, Red Bull are the newest addition to the top five in the standings – Verstappen capturing the teams 100th victory at the Canadian Grand Prix.

F1 race win record-holders

Fastest Laps

With the advent of point for fastest lap being introduced at the start of the 2019 season, there is more variety of drivers setting the fastest race lap during a grand prix. Michael Schumacher’s metronomic domination at Ferrari in the early 2000s still stands as the record for fastest laps.

F1 fastest lap record-holders

Podiums

Another Hamilton record to fall in his incredible seventh-title-clinching campaign: he holds the record for most podiums along with his pole positions and total wins record. Michael Schumacher is still far out in front with the 155 throughout his career while Sebastian Vettel’s 121 could be added to further if he can recapture past form. Out of all the teams though, there is a clear leader out in front: Ferrari.

F1 podium record-holders

Championships

Tied at seven apiece, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are out in front as the two most successful drivers of all time when it comes to world titles. But on current form, Max Verstappen could eclipse them both – set to secure his third consecutive world title in 2023.

F1 championship record-holders

Starts

Fernando Alonso eclipsed Kimi Räikkönen as F1’s most experienced driver in 2022, lining up at the Singapore Grand Prix for his 350th career start. The Spaniard has only built upon his already sterling reputation after his move to Aston Martin in 2023 and, scarily, no one really knows when he may call time on his career.

Similarly, the longevity of Lewis Hamilton has continued to amaze the paddock: the 2023 Italian Grand Prix marking the 324th start of his F1 career – surpassing Rubens Barrichello.

Grand Slams

The hallmark of a dominant weekend, Jim Clark retains the record for most F1 grand slams. Pole, fastest lap, victory and every lap led of a race is an incredibly tough feat to achieve. In the modern era of F1, it is even rarer, with the additional point for fastest lap an appealing late-race option for teams inside the top 10.

F1 grand slam record-holders

Total Laps Led

At the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton overtook Michael Schumacher for the most laps led in F1. The Mercedes driver capped off another record-breaking race with victory over rival Max Verstappen, and the record is likely to be one of the toughest to beat after he’s stepped away from racing. But once again, Verstappen is in hot pursuit: already located fifth on the all-time rankings after successive seasons of domination.

F1 laps led record-holders