Who has the most Grand Slams in F1?

Out of 775 drivers F1 has produced, only

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher (Via IMAGO)

In Formula 1, a grand slam occurs when a driver achieves a near-perfect performance in a single race weekend. To accomplish this feat, a driver must secure pole position in qualifying, lead every lap of the race, clinch the fastest lap, and ultimately win the race. It’s a rare and impressive achievement that showcases a driver’s all-around excellence, combining speed, consistency, and strategic mastery.

Achieving a grand slam reflects not just on the driver’s skill, but also on the team’s ability to provide a competitive car and make effective race-day decisions. It’s a testament to a perfect blend of talent and teamwork. So delve in to find out which driver holds the most grand slams in history and discover who came close to challenging him.

Discover: What is a Grand Slam in Formula One?

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5 = Max Verstappen (4)

The reigning champion of 2023, Max Verstappen, is the force currently reshaping the F1 record landscape, poised to join the pantheon of legends. Since the downforce era, he’s reigned supreme, currently ranking third in the all-time wins list. Verstappen, a mere 26, boasts four grand slams, cementing his status as the driving force in the world of motorsport.

Max Verstappen's first Grand Slam, at the Austrian GP in 2021 — Max Verstappen’s first Grand Slam, at the Austrian GP in 2021 (Credits: FIA)

While usually, a grand slam meant that the race was easy for the picking for a dominant driver driving a dominant car, it was not the case at the Qatar GP in 2023. Amidst grueling conditions where many succumbed, he displayed unparalleled skill, securing a grand slam despite FIA restrictions on pit stops. With a bright future ahead of him, he is surely ascending to challenge the legends ahead of him. He scored a grand slam in all of the following races:

Austria Grand Prix, 2023
Imola Grand Prix, 2023
Spanish Grand Prix, 2023
Qatar Grand Prix, 2023

5 = Sebastian Vettel (4)

Sebastian Vettel‘s illustrious career has been a tale of peaks and trenches. During his tenure with Red Bull from 2009 to 2014, he showcased brilliance and clinched 4 titles in a row from 2010 to 2013, extracting maximum performance from innovative blown exhaust cars. Despite triumphs in 2010 and 2012, his titles were narrowly secured, facing stiff competition. However, his 2011 and 2013 seasons were arguably one of the most dominant seasons a driver has ever had.

Sebastian Vettel drinks champagne from the winner's trophy after his first grand slam at Indian GP, 2011 — Sebastian Vettel drinks champagne from the winner’s trophy after his first grand slam at Indian GP, 2011 Credits: Flickr)

It is during these two seasons where he clinched 3 out of his 4 grand slams. However, the other one, at the Japanese GP in 2012 will go down as the best of the lot. Going into the weekend, he was 29 points behind his main rival, Fernando Alonso and with only 6 races left, it was a vital weekend for him and he delivered what was required. Starting on the pole, he won the race leading every single lap and was aided by Alonso’s lap one incident. All his grand slams were:

Indian Grand Prix, 2011
Japanese Grand Prix, 2012
Singapore Grand Prix, 2013
Korean Grand Prix, 2013

5 = Ayrton Senna (4)

Renowned as arguably the fastest driver in the history of Formula 1, Ayrton Senna possessed unparalleled prowess in single-lap speed and an extraordinary acumen for navigating treacherous wet conditions. Senna’s driving transcended machinery limitations, as evidenced by his remarkable feats in both Lotus and Toleman cars. With 4 grand slams, his untimely death in his prime leaves a case of “would have been.”

Ron Dennis with Ayrton Senna (Credits: Business Insider)

His fierce rivalry with Alain Prost, marked by Senna’s undeniable speed and Prost’s consistency and strategic precision, culminated in intense title battles. Despite Senna’s triumphs in 1988, 1990, and 1991, Prost’s measured approach yielded its own successes. Senna’s claim to excellence extended beyond his championship years, arguably dominating the grid in 1987, 1989, and 1993. Senna’s grand slams were:

Portuguese Grand Prix, 1985
Spanish Grand Prix, 1989
Monaco Grand Prix, 1990
Italian Grand Prix, 1990

3 = Michael Schumacher (5)

Michael Schumacher, sharing the record for most championship wins with Lewis Hamilton, once disrupted the F1 record books, transforming the sport with his unparalleled work ethic and fitness regimen. From 1994 to 2004, he reigned supreme, showcasing flawless laps and unrivaled consistency. The Benetton era saw him clinch two titles, while his standout performances from 1996 to 1998 highlighted his prowess, outshining even his Ferrari’s capabilities.

Schumacher played a pivotal role in Ferrari’s resurgence, dominating the next five years with five more titles. Despite being hailed as possibly the most complete driver, his controversial tactics in Australia in 1994 and Jerez in 1997 cast shadows on his legacy. With the ruthless domination that Schumacher has displayed, it comes as no surprise that he holds 5 grand slams in his career. Which were:

Monaco Grand Prix, 1994
Canadian Grand Prix, 1994
Spanish Grand Prix, 2002
Australian Grand Prix, 2004
Hungarian Grand Prix, 2004

3 = Alberto Ascari (5)

Alberto Ascari was an Italian driver who competed in the 50s. He clinched two titles with superior machinery, his hallmark being impeccable precision. In 1952 and 1953, he exhibited flawless performance, claiming victory in every completed race. Ascari’s teammate record stands as a testament to his prowess, overshadowing formidable competitors like Mike Hawthorn, Giuseppe Farina, and Jose Froilan Gonzalez.

Alberto Ascari, the first and only Italian F1 champion (Credits: Ferrari)

Esteemed experts regard Ascari as a peer to Fangio in sheer skill, solidifying his position as the second-best driver of his era only behind a five-time winner, Fangio. His career was short-lived, lasting only 5 years and he still managed to bag 5 grand slams which will be remembered as one of the greatest feats by any driver. Those five grand slams were:

French Grand Prix, 1952
German Grand Prix, 1952
Dutch Grand Prix, 1952
Argentine Grand Prix, 1953
British Grand Prix, 1953

2. Lewis Hamilton (6)

Lewis Hamilton boasts a near-complete mastery of Formula 1 records, rivaling the legendary Schumacher as the sport’s most accomplished driver. Renowned for exceptional qualifying skills, unwavering consistency, and remarkable prowess in wet conditions, Hamilton initiated his career by narrowly outpacing reigning champion Alonso as a rookie. Despite a narrow 1-point title loss, Hamilton etched his name as the greatest rookie in the sport’s history. He stands as one of the sport’s unparalleled talents.

Lewis Hamilton after his 7th title clinch in 2020 (Credits: Reddit)

In 2008, Hamilton secured the title against Felipe Massa’s formidable Ferrari, heralding an era of dominance with Mercedes, claiming seven titles. His teammate prowess shone consistently; triumphing over Alonso, commanding over Button in 2010 and 2012 (despite a setback in 2011), overcoming Rosberg in 2014-15, and displaying dominance over Bottas and currently dominating George Russell as well. Hamilton’s illustrious 15-year career featured numerous record-breaking achievements, including six grand slams. Which were:

Malaysian Grand Prix, 2014
Italian Grand Prix, 2015
Chinese Grand Prix, 2017
Canadian Grand Prix, 2017
British Grand Prix, 2017
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 2019

1. Jim Clark (8)

Jim Clark, a dominant force in the 1960s, secured only two titles due to reliability challenges. Piloting Colin Chapman’s Lotus, he consistently possessed the fastest car, showcasing unparalleled driving prowess. From 1962 to 1967, Clark triumphed in every completed race except one, often winning by minutes in compromised vehicles.

Even in less competitive machinery, like the 1966 season against superior Brabham cars, he delivered exceptional performances. Clark’s untimely demise in 1968 cut short the career of one of the most gifted drivers in history. Despite only a career of 9 years, he managed to win 8 grand slams, a feat that will probably not be ever mirrored by anyone else. The 8 times where he displayed utter domination were:

British Grand Prix, 1962
Dutch Grand Prix, 1963
French Grand Prix, 1963
Mexican Grand Prix, 1963
British Grand Prix, 1964
South African Grand Prix, 1965
French Grand Prix, 1965
German Grand Prix, 1965

Honourable mentions:

1. Jackie Stewart (4)

Jackie Stewart, an epitome of precision and consistency, showcased complete driving prowess. In his initial seasons, he matched Graham Hill, finishing as runner-up in 1968 despite missing two races. Stewart’s standout performance included a remarkable wet race victory in Germany, triumphing by three minutes. He secured titles for Matra in 1969 and for Tyrell in 1971 and 1973. His grand slams were:

French Grand Prix, 1969
Monaco Grand Prix, 1971
French Grand Prix, 1971
United States Grand Prix, 1972

2. Nigel Mansell (4)

Nigel Mansell, 1985 South African GP (Credits: F1 Fansite)

Nigel Mansell, the tenacious and skilled Formula 1 driver, triumphed as the 1992 World Champion with Williams. Overcoming setbacks and intense rivalries, Mansell’s strategic prowess and relentless determination culminated in a record-breaking season. His legacy is defined by a blend of on-track brilliance, controversy, and the pursuit of greatness. He too scored 4 grand slams and those were: