BEST OF THE BEST (BY F1 TITLES WON)

7

Michael Schumacher won a record seven F1 world titles. The German won back-to-back titles at Benetton before leaving to join Ferrari in 1996. He would go on to win five successive F1 titles from 2000-04.

6

Lewis Hamilton began his career at McLaren and went on to win his maiden F1 drivers’ title in 2008. Since switching to Mercedes, the Briton has won five of the past six championships, finishing second behind former teammate Nico Rosberg in 2016.

5

Juan Manuel Fangio secured five world titles in the 1950s with three teams – Alfa Romeo (1951), Maserati (1954, 1957), Daimler Benz (1955), Ferrari (1956).

4

Alain Prost was known as “The Professor” during an F1 career that saw him race for teams such as McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. The Frenchman won four world titles, three of them with McLaren (1985, 1986 and 1989) and one with Williams in 1993.

4

Sebastien Vettel won four consecutive F1 championships behind the wheel of Red Bull between 2010-13.

3

Jack Brabham (below) won the first two of his championships racing for Cooper (1959, 1960) before setting up his own racing organisation in 1962 where he went on to clinch the 1966 title.

3

Jackie Stewart would win three F1 titles in a career spanning eight years and four teams. The Briton won the 1969 title behind the wheel of a Matra before securing the titles in 1971 and 1973 with Tyrell.

3

Niki Lauda won the F1 title in 1975 and 1977 for Ferrari and in 1984 with McLaren. He almost won the 1976 title despite suffering horrific burns and being given his last rites.

3

Nelson Piquet collected three F1 titles during a long and illustrious racing career, the first two with Brabham, in 1981 and again in 1983 before clinching his third title with Williams four years later.

3

Many argue that the Brazilian Ayrton Senna is the greatest ever F1 driver, despite others having won more titles. Senna won all three of his F1 titles at McLaren (1988, 1990, 1991) before joining Williams in 1994. He died following a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix the same year.