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List of Formula One drivers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform.[2] Each year, the F1 World Championship season is held. It consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets.[3] Drivers are awarded points based on their finishing position in each race, and the driver who accumulates the most points over each championship is crowned that year's World Drivers' Champion.[4] As of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there have been 778 Formula One drivers from 41 different nationalities who have started at least one of the 1,125 FIA World Championship races since the first such event,[5][6][7] the 1950 British Grand Prix.[8]

Seven-time champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most championships.[9][10] Hamilton also holds the record for the most wins with 105,[11] the most pole positions with 104,[12] the most points with 4862.5,[13] and the most podiums with 202.[14] Fernando Alonso has entered more Grands Prix than anyone else (404) and also holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts (401).[15] The United Kingdom is the most represented country, having produced 163 drivers.[16] Ten countries have been represented by just one.[5] China became the latest country to be represented by a driver when Zhou Guanyu made his Formula One debut at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix driving for Alfa Romeo.[17] The most recent driver to make their Formula One debut is Jack Doohan, who debuted at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[18]

This list includes all drivers who have entered a World Championship race, including participants of the Indianapolis 500 between 1950 and 1960 when it was part of the World Championship (although not being run according to Formula One rules or sanctioned by the FIA).[19]

Drivers

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Countries marked in gold are those that have produced Formula 1 World Drivers' Champions. Those in green produced winners of Formula 1 Grands Prix, while those in blue – only Formula 1 race participants. East Germany and West Germany are combined with modern-day Germany into one country, while modern-day Zimbabwe is highlighted as a stand-in for Rhodesia.
Key
Symbol Meaning
~ Driver has competed in 2024 and has won the World Drivers' Championship
* Driver has competed in 2024 and has not won the World Drivers' Championship
^ Driver has won the World Drivers' Championship and has not competed in 2024

This list is accurate as of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Drivers who only participated in Friday practice and who were not actually entered for the race are not included.