I’ve gone through lots of different drivers' and teams' records and stats to make up the Ultimate Formula 1 Grid. I’ve assigned the most successful team in terms of championships with the two most successful drivers in terms of championships all the way down to the 10th best team and the 19th and 20th best drivers in F1 history. A bunch of stats will be shown (including percentages) and the teams will then be ranked 1 to 10 (compared to the other teams involved). By the end, you can decide which driver and team would come out on top.
Ferrari
You just have to start with the Prancing Horse. Ferrari have won a total of 31 championships (16 Constructors, 15 Drivers) which is by far the most and they also have the most wins, poles, podiums and 1-2 finishes in Formula 1 history. But how do Ferrari rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Ferrari are ranked 3rd in Race wins (23.0%), third in pole positions (23.0%) and second when it comes to 1-2 finishes over their entire career (8.1%). What this shows is Ferrari might not be the most dominant team in F1 history. Now, it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Lewis Hamilton
Statistically, Lewis Hamilton is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. Hamilton has the joint most drivers titles in F1 history (7) and he also holds the records for the most wins, poles and podiums in F1 history. But how does Lewis rank when it comes to percentages of his results over his entire career? Lewis is ranked 4th in race wins (33.2%), 5th in pole positions (33.2%) and he’s the second-best driver when it comes to finishing on the podium over his entire career. (61.6%). What this shows was even though Lewis is the best numbers-wise, he isn’t the most dominant.
Driver 2: Michael Schumacher
It’s only right that Michael Schumacher would be wearing Scarlett Red on the Ultimate F1 Grid. Michael has the joint most amount of drivers titles in F1 history (7) and he sits second place in the history books for race wins, pole positions and podium finishes. But how does Michael rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Michael is ranked 5th in race wins (29.6%), 6th in pole positions (22.1%) and he’s ranked 5th in podium finishes over his entire career (50.3%). What this shows is Michael wasn’t as dominant as other drivers despite winning seven World Championships.
McLaren
McLaren have won a total of 20 championships in their time in Formula 1 (8 Constructors, 12 Drivers). They also have the second most amount of wins, poles and podiums in F1 history and they have the third most amount of 1-2’s. But how do McLaren rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? McLaren are ranked 4th in race wins (19.8%), 5th in pole positions (16.8%) and 4th in 1-2’s (5.2%). What this shows is that even though McLaren are a very successful team, they are also pretty inconsistent. Now, it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio is the prime example of why percentages mean more than actual numbers. JMF is a 5-time Champion of the World, yet he’s only ranked 12th in race wins, 9th in pole positions and 16th in podium finishes. But how does Juan Manuel rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Fangio is ranked 1st in race wins (46.2%), pole positions (55.8%) and podiums (67.3%). What this shows is nobody is and was as dominant a driver as Juan Manuel Fangio.
Driver 2: Alain Prost
Alain Prost reunites with the team that he won 3 World Championships with. Prost is a 4-time World Champion and he’s ranked 4th in race wins, 5th in pole positions and 4th in podium finishes. But how does Alain rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Prost is ranked 8th in race wins (25.3%), 10th in pole positions (16.3%), but he climbs up to third for podium finishes (52.5%). What this shows is Prost was consistently finishing on the podium, but was rivaled for the top spot in both qualifying and the race.
Mercedes
Mercedes have won a total of 17 championships in their time in Formula 1 (8 Constructors, 9 Drivers). They also have the third most amount of wins and pole positions in F1 history, the fourth most amount of podiums and the second most amount of 1-2 finishes. But how do Mercedes rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Mercedes are ranked 1st in race wins (46.1%), pole positions (50.2%) and 1-2 finishes (21.8%). The craziest thing is they lead all of these stats by a long, long way. What this shows is no team has been as consistently dominant as Mercedes. Now, it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel is a 4-time World Champion and he has the third most amount of race wins in history, the fourth most amount of pole positions and the third most amount of podiums (this guy's pretty successful). But how does Sebastian rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Vettel is ranked 10th in race wins (17.7%), 7th in pole positions (19.0%) and he drops back down to P10 for podium finishes (40.7%). What this shows is even though Seb is a very successful racing driver, he maybe isn’t quite as good as others.
Driver 2: Jackie Stewart
Jackie Stewart is a 3-time World Champion and he’s ranked 9th for F1 race victories, 16th for pole positions and 14th for podium finishes. But how does Jackie rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Stewart is ranked 6th in race wins (27.0%), 8th in pole positions (17%) and 9th in podium finishes (43.0%). What this shows is Jackie is definitely a better driver than what the numbers show (besides the amount of World Championships).
Williams
The Legendary Williams team have won a total of 16 championships in Formula 1 (9 Constructors, 7 Drivers). Williams have the fourth most amount of race wins, pole positions and 1-2 finishes in F1 history and they also have the third most amount of podium finishes. But how do Williams rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Williams are ranked 6th in race wins (14.6%), pole positions (16.4%) and 1-2 finishes (4.2%). What this shows is even though Williams are a very successful team, they’ve also had their fair share of struggles. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna is regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. Senna is a 3-time World Champion, he has the fifth most amount of race wins, the third most amount of pole positions and he has the 7th most amount of podiums. But how does Ayrton rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Senna is ranked 7th in race wins (25.3%), 4th in pole positions (40.1%) and 6th in podiums (49.4%). What this shows is Ayrton was pretty consistent over his entire career.
Driver 2: Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda is a 3-time World Champion, yet he only ranks 11th for race wins, pole positions and he ranks 12th for podium finishes. But how does Niki rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Lauda is ranked 12th in race wins (14.1%), 13th in pole positions (13.8%) and 11th in podiums (31.0%). What this shows is Niki was a very consistent driver and in terms of this field, he is very much in the midfield.
Lotus
Lotus have won a total of 13 championships in Formula 1 (7 Constructors, 6 Drivers). Lotus have the sixth most amount of race wins, podiums and 1-2 finishes and they have the 5th most amount of pole positions. But how do Lotus rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Lotus are ranked 5th in race wins (16.2%), 4th in pole positions and 7th in 1-2 finishes. What this shows is Lotus are definitely a midfield team on this grid. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Nelson Piquet
Nelson Piquet is a 3-time Champion of the World, yet he only ranks 13th in race wins, 12th in pole positions and 9th in podiums. But how does Nelson rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Piquet is ranked 15th in race wins (11.1%), pole positions (11.6%) and podiums (29.0%). What this shows is Nelson is one of the poorer/weaker drivers on this grid.
Driver 2: Jack Brabham
Jack Brabham is a 3-time World Champion, yet he ranks 17th in race wins, 18th in pole positions and 19th in podiums. But how does Jack rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Brabham is ranked 16th in race wins (10.9%), pole positions (10.2%) and 18th in podiums (24.2%). What this shows is Jack is not one of the stronger drivers on this grid.
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull have won a total of 11 championships in Formula 1 (5 Constructors, 6 Drivers). Red Bull are ranked 5th in race wins, podiums and 1-2 finishes whilst they rank 6th in pole positions. But how do Red Bull rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? RBR are ranked second in race wins (26.5%) and pole positions (23.3%) and they rank third in 1-2 finishes (6.3%). What this shows is Red Bull have come into Formula 1 and been very successful. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Alberto Ascari
Alberto Ascari is a 2-time World Champion yet he’s the worst driver on this grid when it comes to race wins and podiums. He’s ranked 17th for pole positions. But how does Alberto rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Ascari is ranked second in race wins (39.4%), third in pole positions (42.4%) and fourth in podium finishes (51.5%). What this shows is Ascari was clearly a brilliant racing driver who is only so low down when it comes to the numbers because there weren’t many races when he was around.
Driver 2: Jim Clark
Jim Clark is a 2-time World Champion and he’s ranked 10th in race wins, 6th in pole positions and 18th in podiums! In fact, Clark actually took pole position more times than he finished on the podium which seems pretty ridiculous. But how does Jim rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Jim is ranked third in race wins (34.3%), second in pole positions (45.2%) and 8th in podium finishes (44.4%). What this shows is Clark was clearly an excellent driver who actually found it easier to take pole position and win races than finish second or third.
Brabham
Brabham have won a total of 6 championships in Formula 1 (2 Constructors, 4 Drivers). Brabham are ranked 7th for race wins and podium finishers, 8th for pole positions and 6th for 1-2 finishes. But how do Brabham rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team's entire career? Brabham are ranked 9th in race wins, 8th in pole positions and 7th in 1-2 finishes. What this shows is Brabham are definitely one of the slower teams on this grid. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen is the current back-to-back Champion of the World and he has the sixth most amount of race wins in F1 history. He’s also ranked 14th in pole positions and 8th in podium finishes. But how does Max rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Verstappen is ranked 9th in race wins (21.5%), 14th in pole positions (13.6%) and 7th in podium finishes (47.2%). What this shows is Max isn’t really going to be able to compete for the championship.
Driver 2: Mika Hakkinen
Mika Hakkinen is a 2-time World Champion, yet he’s ranked 16th in race wins, 10th in pole positions and 13th in podium finishes. But how does Mika rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Hakkinen is ranked 13th in race wins (12.1%), 11th in pole positions (15.8%) and 12th in podium finishes (30.9%). What this shows is Mika is definitely a midfield driver on this grid.
Renault
Renault have won a total of 4 championships in Formula 1 (2 Constructors, 2 Drivers). Renault are ranked 8th in race wins and podiums, 10th in 1-2 finishes and 7th in pole positions. But how do Renault rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Renault are ranked 10th in race wins (8.8%), 7th in pole positions (12.7%) and 10th in 1-2 finishes (0.5%). What this shows is Renault are probably going to be near the back of the field. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi is a 2-time World Champion, yet he’s ranked 18th in race wins, 20th in pole positions and 17th in podium finishes. But how does Emerson rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Fittipaldi is ranked 17th in race wins (9.4%), 20th in pole positions (4.0%) and 19th in podium finishes. What this shows is Emerson is probably going to be right down at the back of this grid.
Driver 2: Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso is a 2-time World Champion and he reunites with the team that he won said titles with. He’s ranked 7th in race wins, 13th in pole positions and 6th in podium finishes. But how does Fernando rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Alonso is ranked 18th in race wins (8.9%) and pole positions (6.0%) and 17th in podium finishes. What this shows is Fernando is also going to be at the back of the grid.
Cooper
Cooper have won a total of 4 championships in Formula 1 (2 Constructors, 2 Drivers). Cooper are ranked 10th in race wins, pole positions and podiums yet they climb up to 8th in 1-2 finishes. But how do Cooper rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team's entire career? Cooper are ranked 7th in race wins (12.4%), 9th in pole positions (8.6%) and 5th in 1-2 finishes (4.7%). What this shows is Cooper might actually be a little bit higher up the grid than expected. Now it’s time to look at the drivers.
Driver 1: Graham Hill
Graham Hill is a former 2-time Champion of the World, yet he’s only ranked 19th for race wins and pole positions and he’s ranked 15th for podium finishes. But how does Graham rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Hill is ranked 19th in race wins (7.8%), 17th in pole positions (7.3%) and 20th in podium finishes (20.1%). What this shows is Graham is definitely one of the weakest, if not the weakest on this grid (so far).
Driver 2: Nigel Mansell
Nigel Mansell became Formula 1 World Champion back in 1992 and he’s ranked 8th in race wins, 7th in pole positions and 10th in podium finishes. But how does Nigel rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Mansell is ranked 11th in race wins (16.2%), 9th in pole positions (16.7%) and 13th in podium finishes (30.7%). What this shows is Nigel could be a dark horse for some good points finishes.
Benetton
Benetton have won a total of 3 Championships in Formula 1 (1 Constructors, 2 Drivers). Benetton are ranked 9th in race wins, pole positions, podiums and 1-2 finishes. But how do Benetton rank when it comes to the percentages of results over the team’s entire career? Benetton are ranked 8th in race wins (10.4%), 10th in pole positions (5.8%) and 9th in 1-2 finishes (0.8%). What this shows is Benetton are probably the slowest car on this grid.
Driver 1: Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg became World Champion back in 2016 and he’s ranked 14th in race wins, 8th in pole positions and 11th in podium finishes. But how does Nico rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Rosberg is ranked 14th in race wins (11.2%), 12th in pole positions (14.6%) and 16th in podium finishes (27.7%). What this shows is Nico is actually a better driver than his car is.
Driver 2: Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen became Champion of the World in 2007 and he’s ranked 15th in race wins and pole positions and he’s ranked in a massive P5 in podium finishes. But how does Kimi rank when it comes to the percentages of results over his entire career? Raikkonen is ranked 20th in race wins (5.9%), 19th in pole positions (5.1%) and 14th in podium finishes (29.2%). What this shows is Kimi is probably going to be right at the back of the field.
The Awards:
Worst Team on the Grid
When it comes to the worst team on the grid, I would say it’s between Renault and Benetton. Both teams are pretty “weak”, but if I was to pick one, I would pick Renault as I think Rosberg is the best out of the 4.
My Verdict: Renault
Constructors’ Champions
When it comes to Constructors Champions, there’s a case for a few teams. Mercedes have brilliant stats, but they're better drivers out there than Sebastian Vettel and Jackie Stewart. McLaren have two drivers that consistently finish on the podium, but is their car quite good enough? Ferrari have all the record and so does Lewis and Michael, but they also aren’t number 1 in any of the important statistics (in my rankings). Finally, Red Bull are consistently one of the best teams and they have two of the best drivers on the grid. That’s why I’m going with Red Bull Racing to become Constructors Champions.
My Verdict: Red Bull Racing
Drivers’ Champion
After going over these stats, I can say that I think Juan Manuel Fangio is the greatest racing driver of all time. However, I don’t think that McLaren is quite quick enough to deliver Fangio a title. I think Ayrton Senna is a brilliantly consistent racing driver, but I don’t think the Williams is going to be anywhere near the pace that Senna needs to become champion. Mercedes have the race car to become World Champions, but I’m just not convinced that either Sebastian Vettel or Jackie Stewart would be able to deliver Merc a driver's title. Michael Schumacher is a Formula 1 legend, but I actually rate Lewis Hamilton more than him and that’s why I have Lewis to finish second in the championship. The reason I have Lewis Hamilton to finish second in the championship is because after going over all of these stats, I would pick Alberto Ascari to become the Ultimate F1 World Champion. Why, because the car is excellent and he’s a sensational talent who always finishes at the front.
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