Who has the longest F1 career?

The sport of Formula One has been around for over 70 years, and over that time, many drivers have come and gone. One of the key factors to a driver’s success is experience, with years of practice and racing at the highest level being essential. In order to gain the experience to thrive on track, the drivers have to extend their careers and remain at the physical and mental health peak. Only a few drivers were able to remain at the top for a considerably long time, and each and every one of them earned the title of legend.

Dive in to answer the question of who has the longest career in F1. Discover the top ten most experienced drivers in the history of the sport, from their debut to retirement, and everything in between. Also, examine their career highlights, memorable moments, and the impact they’ve had on the sport. These drivers have clocked in thousands of laps and have battled their way through multiple seasons, earning their place among the greatest names in the sport. 

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Here is the list of drivers that had the longest career in F1

10. David Coulthard (15 years, 6 months)

David Coulthard‘s illustrious career in Formula One may not have culminated in a championship title, but it was nothing short of remarkable. A rising star in the sport, Coulthard’s first victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix in 1995 set the stage for a glittering career that spanned 15 years. Battling it out with some of the greatest drivers of his generation, including Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, Coulthard held his own with his skill, tenacity, and unwavering determination.

Despite being eclipsed by his peers, his racing prowess and moments of brilliance shone through, securing his place among the pantheon of F1 legends. He moved to Red Bull on their debut and helped the team build. He hung his coat up at the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix.

9. Felippe Massa (15 years, 8 months)

Felipe Massa made his debut in F1 in 2002, but it was with Ferrari in 2006 that he impressed, securing two wins. Despite giving a win to teammate Raikkonen in 2007, Massa’s form was disappointing, being error-prone and outclassed by Hamilton, Alonso, and Rosberg.

After narrowly missing out on the championship in 2008, Massa outperformed Raikkonen in 2009 but was hindered by a mid-season injury. From 2010-2013, he played second fiddle to Alonso, and his performance suffered, but a late stint with Williams helped boost his reputation as a consistent and strong points scorer. Though not on the same level as Hamilton, Alonso, and Vettel, Massa’s 2007-09 stints were impressive, beating Raikkonen. Overall, Massa has had a long career of over 15 years, with ups and downs. 

8. Lewis Hamilton (16 years*)

Lewis Hamilton is hailed as the most successful driver to have ever graced the sport. His remarkable career boasts of a staggering 103* wins and poles each – an unchallenged feat by any other driver. His joint-record seven championship titles with Michael Schumacher cement his position as one of the greatest of all time.

Hamilton’s entry into the sport in 2007 created ripples as he showcased his incredible driving skills and competitiveness against seasoned champions like Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. In his debut season, he missed the title by a whisker, losing out by just one point. The following year, he roared back to glory, winning the championship in a nail-biting finale against Felippe Massa. Known for his supreme driving skills in wet conditions, Hamilton has been an absolute force to reckon with in his 16-season-long F1 career. Remarkably, he has won a race in every season, except in 2022.

7. Riccardo Patrese (16 years 5 months)

Riccardo Patrese made his F1 debut with the Shadow racing team at the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix. Throughout his career, he set various records, including becoming the first driver to reach 200 Grand Prix starts at the 1990 British Grand Prix and the first to reach 250 starts at the 1993 German Grand Prix. He held the record for the most Formula One Grand Prix starts for an amazing 19 years, with an impressive 256 races from 257 entries.  

Ricardo Patrese was a highly rated number 2 driver, who was renowned for his exceptional driving skills. His performances on the grid were lauded by fans and fellow drivers alike. Patrese had some truly outstanding races during his career, one of which was the Mexico 1991 Grand Prix. Despite being a force to be reckoned with, Patrese’s teammate record indicated that he wasn’t among the elite drivers of his time.

6. Graham Hill (16 years 8 months)

Graham Hill had a successful Formula One career that began with the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. His first victory in the sport came in the 1962 Dutch Grand Prix, and he won his final race in the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix. Hill’s first title came in 1962 when he won four races and finished second twice in a season highlighted by Jim Clark’s three DNFs. 

Hill was lucky to have Clark’s DNFs, but he demonstrated his worth by winning his second title after Clark’s terrible death in 1968. Hill finished 5-5 in races, 11-7 in qualifying, and 57-47 in points against an inexperienced Jackie Stewart. Though he lacked the ultimate pace of drivers like Clark and Stewart, Hill’s teammate record and overall performance during his 16-year and 8-month career demonstrated his significance as a competent driver.

5. Jenson Button (17 years 2 months)

Jenson Button, a celebrated British driver, earned acclaim as a masterful wet-weather racer. Despite encountering a slow start to his career, his perseverance paid off when he clinched his inaugural win six years after debuting in the Australian Grand Prix. Albeit his exceptional skills, he endured the challenge of underperforming vehicles throughout his seventeen-year career.

Notably, his tenure with BAR from 2004 to 2006 brought about a great turn of fortune. He further displayed his prowess with Brawn GP in 2009, conquering the season with unmatched dominance despite an unanticipated mid-season car change that did not fit his driving style. Button boasted an impressive track record, prevailing over esteemed teammates such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, and Rubens Barichello.

4. Rubens Barichello (18 years 8 months)

Rubens Barichello is a remarkable driver with an illustrious career spanning 18 years and 8 months. He is known for being the most successful driver without a world title, having achieved the most podium finishes in his career. Despite living in the shadow of Michael Schumacher for much of his career, Barichello’s driving prowess remains fantastic.

During his pre-Ferrari tenure, he consistently delivered good performances obtaining podiums and a pole position for mid-field teams while outperforming Irvine, Brundle, Herbert, and Boutsen. He wasn’t on Schumacher’s level, but he was a good wingman who shone on his day. He then moved to Brawn GP, pairing alongside Jenson Button, and put up a great fight for the title, but was edged out by Button. 

3. Kimi Raikkonen (20 years 9 Months)

Regarded as one of the quickest drivers to have graced the sport, Kimi Raikkonen is widely known as the ‘Iceman’ for his seemingly impervious demeanor and inscrutable reactions to even the most trying of circumstances. Raikkonen made his debut in 2001, alongside the accomplished Fernando Alonso, and within a scant two years, had elevated himself to championship contention in a McLaren, posing a formidable challenge to the peerless Michael Schumacher in 2003.

In 2007, he was entrusted with replacing the retiring Schumacher at Ferrari. He emerged victorious in a dramatic three-way battle for the title, edging out his rivals by a solitary point – a feat that endures to this day as the last championship triumph for the prancing horse. After a brief sabbatical, he made a remarkable comeback with Lotus in 2012 and nearly led the ailing team to a renaissance of their own. In 2014, he returned to Ferrari, where he remained until 2018, finally retiring in 2021, culminating a glorious career spanning over two decades.

2. Michael Schumacher (21 years 2 months)

Michael Schumacher is the most successful German driver, and the second most successful driver in the history of the sport, in terms of wins. He has a joint record of seven world championships and 92 wins. He is the second most experienced driver in the sport. Michael Schumacher was absent for three years after his first retirement in 2006 and came back in 2010.

Schumacher’s journey began in 1991 when he was called upon to substitute an incarcerated Bertrand Gachot at Spa. He impressed everyone with his performance, despite retiring due to mechanical issues. He went on to win his first two championships in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton before moving to Ferrari in 1996. Schumacher became synonymous with success, dominating the sport for the next five years. He retired at the end of the 2006 season, only to make a comeback with Mercedes, where he continued to work his magic for three more years.

1. Fernando Alonso (22 years*)

Fernando Alonso holds the record for the most experience in terms of race starts. He was away from Formula One for two years after the 2018 season but made a strong comeback in 2021. The two-time world champion is the most successful Spaniard in the history of the sport.

Alonso made his debut in 2001 with Minardi, but after a horrid season, he switched to Renault, where he made his mark. He went on to win two championships with the team and overthrew Michael Schumacher from the throne. Known for his exceptional racecraft, Alonso pulled everything from the machinery beneath him and went toe-to-toe against drivers in supreme machinery, putting up a staunch fight.

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