List of Five Best British Drivers in Formula 1

The UK boasts a formidable presence in Formula 1, with 160+ drivers having graced the track. This legacy solidifies its status as a premier racing nation. In the 2024 season, the spotlight shines on three local talents: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Lando Norris, but who are the other best British drivers in Formula 1 of all time? You can also check our top 5 German drivers in Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton is already a living legend

Of course, we’ll start with the latest British superstar. Sir Lewis Hamilton has already built an impressive career, sharing the record for the most F1 World Championship titles at seven, alongside Michael Schumacher. He also holds records for the highest number of wins (103), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (197), among other achievements. Hailing from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Hamilton began his karting journey at the age of eight in 1993, gradually rising to success in local, national, and international competitions.

Hamilton’s career trajectory accelerated when he joined the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 1998. His subsequent victories in the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship, 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series, and the 2006 GP2 Series paved his way into F1 with McLaren-Mercedes from 2007 to 2012, marking him as the first black driver in the series. In his debut season, Hamilton set multiple records and narrowly missed the championship, finishing as runner-up to Kimi Räikkönen by a single point.

The pinnacle of Hamilton’s career with McLaren came in 2008 when he clinched his inaugural championship in a tense finale at the Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest F1 World Champion at the time and a permanent favorite at Bet365. His switch to Mercedes in 2013 coincided with a significant shift in engine regulations, leading to a successful performance with six additional drivers’ titles, including back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015, amid intense competition with teammate Nico Rosberg, who took one from Hamilton in 2016.

Hamilton’s resilience and skill were evident in his championship battles with Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari in 2017 and 2018, overcoming mid-season challenges to secure consecutive titles. He further cemented his legacy with successive wins in 2019 and 2020, matching Schumacher’s record of seven drivers’ titles. Despite a more challenging phase in recent years with Mercedes, marked by Max Verstappen’s rise, Hamilton’s impact on the sport extends beyond his on-track achievements.

Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and join Ferrari from 2025 onward. Can he become another Michael Schumacher and bring back the Maranello team to its glory days? Bet at online sportsbooks in the UK.

James Hunt: one of the best British drivers in Formula 1

James Hunt was a British racing driver who clinched the F1 World Championship in 1976. After his racing career ended in 1979, Hunt transitioned into roles as a media commentator and entrepreneur until his death in 1993. He started his racing journey in touring cars, eventually advancing to Formula Three, where his talent caught the eye of the Hesketh Racing team, leading to his association with them. Hunt’s daring and often dramatic performances on the track earned him the moniker “Hunt the Shunt,” referencing the British term “shunt” for a crash.

His Formula 1 debut occurred in 1973, driving a March 731 for Hesketh Racing. He achieved victories for Hesketh in both World Championship and non-championship races, piloting their Hesketh 308 car, before joining McLaren at the end of 1975.

In his inaugural season with McLaren, Hunt secured the 1976 World Championship title in an intense battle with Ferrari’s Niki Lauda that was also shown in the 2013 movie Rush. He continued with McLaren for two more years, albeit with lesser success, before transitioning to the Wolf team in early 1979. Despite a series of races with non-finishes, Hunt decided to retire from racing midway through the 1979 season. Post-retirement, he ventured into motor racing commentary for the BBC. Unfortunately, Hunt passed away from a heart attack at the age of 45.

Meet Jackie Stewart, a three-time World Champion

Sir Jackie Stewart is a retired British Formula 1 driver hailing from Scotland. He participated in F1 from 1965 to 1973, clinching three World Championships and securing the runner-up position twice during that span of nine seasons. Until Hamilton’s triumph at Bet365 and racetrack in 2015, he held the distinction of being the sole British driver with three championship victories.

Beyond Formula 1, he narrowly missed a victory in his debut at the Indianapolis 500 in 1966 and competed in the Can-Am series in 1970 and 1971. From 1997 to 1999, he served as the team principal alongside his son, Paul, for the Stewart F1 racing team. Following his racing career, Stewart became a sports commentator for ABC network television, covering auto racing, including the Indianapolis 500 for over ten years, and various events at several Summer Olympics, where his distinctive Scottish accent made him a notable figure. He also appeared as a commercial spokesperson for Ford Motor Company and Heineken beer.

Stewart played a crucial role in advancing the safety standards of motor racing, advocating for improved medical facilities and track enhancements at racing circuits. With the passing of John Surtees in 2017, Stewart remains the sole surviving F1 World Champion from the 1960s and holds the title of the oldest living F1 winner.

Graham Hill has left his impact on F1

Graham Hill won Formula 1 twice in 1962 and 1968, and finished as the runner-up on three occasions. Despite obtaining his driving license only in 1953 at the age of 24 and entering motorsports a year later, Hill emerged as one of the best British drivers in Formula 1.

Hill is known for being the sole driver to achieve the Triple Crown of Motorsport: winning the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Monaco Grand Prix or the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Although there are differing definitions of the Triple Crown, Hill’s accomplishment stands out as unique, especially given his victories at Monaco, earning him the nickname “Mr. Monaco” for his five wins in the 1960s.

His career took a turn after a severe crash at the 1969 United States Grand Prix, which resulted in broken legs and a decline in his racing performance. Despite this, Hill continued racing until 1975, with his last F1 victory at the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix. His success across major racing disciplines solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile drivers in motorsport history.

Beyond racing, Hill was a popular television personality in the 1970s, appearing on various non-sporting programs. He also ventured into team ownership, founding Embassy Hill in 1973. Tragically, Hill and several team members lost their lives in a plane crash in 1975 while attempting to land in fog at Elstree Airfield in north London. Hill’s legacy extends to his son Damon, with whom he shares the distinction of being the first father and son pair to win Formula 1 World Championships. Follow Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024 at online gambling sites in the UK.

The best British drivers in Formula 1 include Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell is a retired British racing driver who achieved success in both Formula 1 and the CART Indy Car World Series. He secured the Formula 1 World Championship in 1992 and followed it up with a win in the CART Indy Car World Series in 1993. 

Mansell made history by being the first driver to claim the CART title in his debut season, holding both the F1 World Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship simultaneously. His Formula 1 career spanned 15 seasons, with his final two full seasons spent in the CART series.

Mansell ranks second among the best British drivers in Formula 1 based on race wins, with 31 victories. The first one is Lewis Hamilton, with 103 wins. Nigel stands eighth overall on the Formula 1 race winners list, behind Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, and Fernando Alonso. Mansell also held the record for most poles set in a single season until Sebastian Vettel surpassed it in 2011.

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