Here are some of the other exceptional drivers who have reached the milestone of winning at least four world championships, a feat recently achieved by Max Verstappen:
From Fangio to Verstappen: the exclusive club of Four-Time F1 Champions
Max Verstappen joined an elite group of Formula One legends on Saturday, becoming the sixth driver in history to secure four world championship titles.
Juan Manuel Fangio
Titles Won: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957.
Teams: Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, Ferrari.
Born in 1911, Fangio carved out a remarkable racing career in his native Argentina before becoming Formula One’s first global superstar. His early success included winning the grueling 10,000-kilometer Gran Premio del Norte in 1940. Fangio claimed his first F1 title with Alfa Romeo in 1951, then dominated with Maserati, Mercedes, and Ferrari. He was the first driver to win five championships, a record that held firm for 46 years. Fangio passed away in 1995 at the age of 84.
Alain Prost
Titles Won: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993.
Teams: McLaren, Williams.
Nicknamed “The Professor” for his calculated and analytical approach, Prost was a masterful driver often remembered for his intense rivalry with Ayrton Senna. While some viewed Prost as the more reserved counterpart to Senna’s flamboyant style, his methodical precision earned him three championships with McLaren and one with Williams. Prost narrowly missed a fifth title in 1984 when he lost to teammate Niki Lauda by just half a point.
Michael Schumacher
Titles Won: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
Teams: Benetton, Ferrari.
After Alain Prost’s final title in 1993, Michael Schumacher emerged as Formula One’s new dominant force. The German driver combined raw speed with a fiercely competitive spirit, claiming two championships with Benetton in the mid-1990s. When he joined Ferrari, Schumacher began an unprecedented reign, winning five consecutive titles starting in 2000. He surpassed Fangio’s record of five titles and held a record 91 race wins until Lewis Hamilton broke it. Tragically, Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a 2013 skiing accident and remains under care at his home in Switzerland.
Sebastian Vettel
Titles Won: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
Team: Red Bull.
Another German talent, Vettel burst onto the F1 scene just before his 20th birthday in 2007, debuting with Red Bull, which had recently acquired and rebranded Jaguar. Vettel became the youngest-ever world champion in 2010 and went on to secure four consecutive titles. His dominant streak was marked by fierce battles with Fernando Alonso, who finished runner-up to Vettel three times. Vettel’s last title in 2013 was also the final championship for Red Bull until Verstappen’s victory in 2021.
Lewis Hamilton
Titles Won: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
Teams: McLaren, Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton broke barriers as Formula One’s first Black driver and champion. Known for his on-track brilliance and off-track advocacy, Hamilton claimed his first title with McLaren in 2008. A move to Mercedes brought unparalleled success, with six additional championships over seven years. Hamilton’s dominance with Mercedes redefined the sport, though a controversial decision in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix denied him what could have been an eighth championship.
These drivers, each a master of their era, represent the pinnacle of excellence in Formula One, with Verstappen now solidifying his place among them.
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