In the fast-paced universe of Formula 1, we tend to judge a driver based on the number of wins they have achieved. A better metric of a driver’s competency and superiority in relation to their number of starts is win percentage. Here we will be looking at the highest win percent in F1 history to consider a more interesting way of looking at a driver’s accomplishment.
| S.no | Name | Win % | Race Starts | Race Wins | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Juan Manuel Fangio | 47.06% | 51 | 24 | Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, Ferrari |
| 2. | Alberto Ascari | 40.63% | 32 | 13 | Ferrari |
| 3. | Jim Clark | 34.72% | 72 | 25 | Lotus |
| 4. | Max Verstappen | 30.05% | 213 | 64 | Red Bull |
| 5. | Michael Schumacher | 29.74% | 306 | 91 | Benetton, Ferrari, Mercedes |
| 6. | Lewis Hamilton | 29.17% | 360 | 105 | McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari (from 2025)​ |
| 7. | Jackie Stewart | 27.27% | 99 | 27 | BRM, Matra, Tyrrell |
| 8. | Alain Prost | 25.63% | 199 | 51 | Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams |
| 9. | Ayrton Senna | 25.47% | 161 | 41 | Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams |
| 1o. | Stirling Moss | 24.24% | 66 | 16 | Mercedes, Maserati, Vanwall, Lotus |
Read Also:- Best Mercedes Drivers in F1 History
1. Juan Manuel Fangio (1950–1958)
He achieved 24 wins from 52 Grand Prix starts, a statistic that remains unmatched in terms of winning percentage. Fangio’s remarkable winning rate shows his unbelievable superiority earlier in the F1 history. He was World Champion in five of the eight seasons in which he still managed to compete and this is a record yet not achieved by anyone else.
2. Alberto Ascari (1950–1955)
An Italian Formula 1 driver achieved two World Drivers’ Championship titles with Ferrari in 1952 and 1953. He also secured 13 Grand Prix wins out of 32 starts. His win percentage is second only to Juan Manuel Fangio. Ascari’s consecutive titles in 1952 and 1953 demonstrates his unique ability. His ability to perform consistently towards the top tier makes him one of a kind. He performed exceptionally during his career.
3. Jim Clark (1960–1968)
His win percentage in 72 Formula 1 starts was 34.72%, a record at the time. He was also known for his Grand Chelem wins, achieving pole position, fastest lap, race win, and leading every lap in eight races. His skill on the track could be seen in his win percentage, making him one of the most effective drivers of his era.
4. Max Verstappen (2015–present)
He has a total of 64 Grand Prix wins across 11 seasons. Notably, he holds the record for the most wins in a single season, winning 19 races in 2023, with a record-breaking 86.36%-win percentage for that season. He holds records for the most championship points in a season (575 in 2023) and the highest average points per championship (26.14 in 2023). He achieved 6 “hat tricks” (pole position, win, and fastest lap in the same race) in the 2023 season. He has now made him a driver who has the ability to break records and be a champion.
5. Michael Schumacher (1991–2012)
Michael Schumacher is a legendary Formula 1 driver known for his seven World Championships, 91 Grand Prix victories, and numerous other records. If his comeback with Mercedes is excluded, his win percentage rises to around 36.55%. The German went on to become one of the most iconic and popular driver on the grid in Formula 1 during his time at Ferrari from the early 2000s, making him what is now called a win rate over all-time length.
6. Lewis Hamilton (2007– present)
​ Hamilton has won a joint-record seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), among others.Hamilton’s record-breaking career with a consistent performance and great ability and adaptability to drive different cars and for different teams makes him one of the greatest.
7. Jackie Stewart (1965–1973)
Jackie Stewart, nicknamed “The Flying Scot”, achieved immense success in Formula 1, winning three World Championships (1969, 1971, 1973) and 27 Grand Prix. He also held the record for most wins and podium finishes at the time of his retirement. Stewart’s advancements towards driver safety and three World Championships have made a lasting impact on motorsport.
8. Alain Prost (1980–1993)
Nicknamed “the Professor”, Prost won four Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles and—at the time of his retirement. He won four championships Prost, used a planned driving style, was willing to risk winning four World Championships and is one of the most knowingly strategic F1 racers.
9. Ayrton Senna (1984–1994)
Ayrton Senna achieved three F1 World Championships (1988, 1990, 1991) and 41 Grand Prix wins in his 10-year career. He holds the record for most pole positions at 65 and a high podium percentage of 49.68%. Senna’s dominance is also highlighted by his eight wins in a single season (1988) and his four consecutive wins in 1988 and 1991. Senna’s races and three World Championships made him one of the all-time crowd favorites and the personification of racing passion.
10. Stirling Moss (1951–1961)
Stirling Moss, while never winning a World Championship, achieved 16 Formula 1 Grand Prix victories. He’s known for his skill and charisma and was often regarded as the greatest driver never to win a title. Moss is often said to be the best driver never to win a World Championship, although the fact of his skill and sportsmanship speaks for itself.
Read Also:- Best F1 Drivers of All Time
F1 Win Percentages Across Eras
Although win percentages are a quantifiable measure of success, we have to keep the context of the eras in mind. The early days of F1 were comprised of fewer races, allowing drivers like Fangio and Ascari to have more extended periods of dominance, which led to higher winning percentages than are typically seen today. Modern-day drivers have longer calendar, many more competitors, and increased technological barriers they must overcome, making consistent success harder to achieve.
