Despite being acutely aware of the life-threatening risks, the ‘Flying Scot’ fearlessly piloted the perilous machines of his era to three World Championships within a span of five years. He departed the sport with an impressive record of 27 victories out of 99 races, establishing himself as the standout talent of his generation.
Number 5. Michael Schumacher (29.64%)
When Michael Schumacher returned to Formula 1 in 2010 after a three-year hiatus, he wasn’t fixated on statistics; he had already made his mark on those records.
However, if we exclude the 58 winless Grands Prix he contested for Mercedes during his comeback, Schumacher’s victory rate would have been an astonishing 36.55 percent.
Before his move to Ferrari, Schumacher had already notched up 19 F1 victories and two titles with Benetton. His legendary partnership with the Scuderia resulted in an additional five World Championships, rewriting the history books of his era.
Schumacher retired from the sport once more in 2012, before the skiing accident that occurred one year later. His current health status remains closely guarded, and he has not made any public appearances since.
Number 4. Lewis Hamilton (31.89%)
Mercedes’ unparalleled dominance of the hybrid era in Formula 1 was ruthlessly driven by Lewis Hamilton, who left no stone unturned as he continued to accumulate victories.
The talented driver from Stevenage experienced a rare setback last year when he failed to secure a Grand Prix win, marking the first time such an event occurred in his entire Formula 1 career. Remarkably, he had claimed victories every year since his extraordinary breakout with McLaren in 2007.
Hamilton’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. He shattered Michael Schumacher’s Grand Prix record in 2020 and became the first driver to surpass the historic milestone of 100 race victories, currently boasting an impressive tally of 103 wins.
As the 2023 season concludes, Hamilton is poised to become the driver with the third-most race starts in Formula 1 history. However, his continued success is contingent on Mercedes delivering a competitive car, as any falter on their part could potentially see him slipping down the rankings.
Number 3. Jim Clark (34.72%)
