Sebastian Vettel has announced his retirement from Formula One at the of the 2022 season and will go down as one of the all-time greats.
He’s currently in a struggling Aston Martin towards the back end of the grid, exiting the sport further down the standings than he should be, but he wants to dedicate his time to being a better father and husband.
Autosport have compiled a list of the 10 greatest drivers statistically, judging on a range of factors such as races started, race wins and championships.
10. Jim Clark
British Formula One racing driver Jim Clark (1936-1968) celebrates on the podium with two statuettes after finishing in first place in the #4 Team Lotus Lotus 25 Climax V8 to win the 1963 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England on 20th July 1963. (Photo by Blackman/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Jim Clark is a two-time world champion, winning the crowns in 1963 and 1965, with his career cut short after his untimely death in a Formula 2 race at the Hockenheimring.
9. Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda of Austria and driver of the #8 Marlboro McLaren International McLaren MP4B Ford Cosworth DFV V8 lifts the RAC Trophy and celebrates winning the Marlboro British Grand Prix on 18 July 1982 at the Brands Hatch circuit in Fawkham, Great Britain. (Photo by Adrian Murrell/Getty Images)
Niki Lauda won the 1975, 1977 and 1984 titles during his career, racking up 25 wins and 24 pole positions. His legacy is cemented by his advisor role with Mercedes from 2013 until his death in 2019. He was instrumental in getting Hamilton to the team and their following success.
8. Jackie Stewart
Jackie Stewart
Jackie Stewart will go down as a legend of the sport, not only for his three world titles and 27 race wins, but also for his role in improving safety within the sport after seeing friends and colleagues pass away unnecessarily.
7. Nigel Mansell
Nigel Mansell
Arguably one of the most unluckiest drivers to ever take to the track, Mansell retired with a world title which looked like it could elude him. He was runner-up in three different seasons, it could’ve been so different for the 1992 world champion.
Fernando Alonso is coming home
The Spaniard is a two-time world champion, winning consecutive titles in 2005 and 2006. Like Mansell, he had a few near misses as well in terms of gunning for the title, but still driving today, he’s proving his ability into his 40s.
5. Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna
Still 30 years on from his death, Ayrton Senna is regarded as one of the best around. He’s a three-time world champion who surely would’ve added to his tally had he not tragically died in a race at Imola.
4. Alain Prost
Alain Prost
After enduring the gruelling battles with Senna, Alain Prost managed to achieve four world titles on his way to being regarded as an all-time great. His longevity was special, winning his final world title despite being 38 years old.
3. Sebastian Vettel
A young Sebastian Vettel
After dominating from 2010 till 2013, winning four world titles in a row, Sebastian Vettel’s career slowed down with the regulation changes. He was then denied further glory whilst at Ferrari due to Lewis Hamilton, but with 53 wins, 57 pole positions and over 3000 career points, Vettel is an all-time great.
Michael Schumacher celebrates winning another race in the Ferrari
For many Formula One fans, Michael Schumacher is the greatest of all time, setting records and benchmarks that many thought wouldn’t and couldn’t be broken. However, those have been matched or broken now by Hamilton. With 38 wins more than Vettel and seven world titles, Schumacher rightly takes second spot.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 15: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning a 7th F1 World Drivers Championship on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey at Intercity Istanbul Park on November 15, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
There’s no doubting the impact Sir Lewis Hamilton has had on Formula One, breaking those records set by Michael Schumacher that were deemed unsurpassable. He’s exemplary away from the track as well, campaigning for a better quality of life for anyone, regardless of their background. No one has more wins than the Brit (103) or pole positions (103). He recently notched his 300th race last weekend at the French GP and no one can compete with the 4292.5 points he’s amassed since his 2007 debut.