Who has the most fastest laps in F1 history?

Formula 1 is the most prestigious motor racing competition. It is the highest level of international racing for open-wheel single-seater. It is governed and sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, popularly known as the FIA. This premier automobile racing series must adhere to the rules and regulations set by the FIA. Formula 1 is the most technologically advanced sport, with some of the fastest drivers in the world. This unique combination enables drivers to break multiple pace records and set new ones.

These races are held on purpose-built circuits and street circuits. The drivers with the fastest lap time during a Grand Prix not just earn the respect of fans but are also awarded a point for the fastest lap from 1959 to 1959. And it was re-introduced in the 2019 Formula 1 season.  As of the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP, 136 different drivers set the fastest time in the sport. So who are the drivers with the fastest laps?

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Here is the list of drivers with the most number of fastest laps in F1 history

10. Fernando Alonso  (23*)

Fernando Alonso set 23 fastest laps in his career so far. The first was at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix when he was driving for Renault. The last time was at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix with McLaren. Alonso, the 2005 and 2006 world champion, has 32 race wins and 101 podiums. The Spaniard also has 22 pole positions. Alonso moved to Aston Martin for the 2023 season and is faring well. He has a high chance of setting more fastest laps with this team. The 10th place is also a tie between former F1 drivers Nelson Piquet and Juan Manuel Fangio.

9. Niki Lauda (24)

Niki Lauda holds 24 fastest laps in Formula 1. His first fastest lap was at the 1974 Spanish Grand Prix while driving for Ferrari. His last fastest lap at the 1985 German Grand Prix. He was with McLaren at that time. The Austrian Formula 1 driver won three world championships in 1975, 1977, and 1984. Lauda had 25 race wins and 54 podium finishes. Lauda was also an aviation entrepreneur. He was the only one to win world titles with both the iconic teams Ferrari and McLaren.

8. Mika Hakkinen (25)

Mika Hakkinen holds 25 fastest laps. He was active in Formula 1 from 1991 to 2001. Hakkinen’s first fastest lap was at the 1997 Italian Grand Prix with McLaren. And the last was at the 2001 Hungarian Grand Prix. He won the 1998 and 1999 Formula 1 world championships. Hakkinen has 20 career wins and 51 podiums. The Finnish racing driver was also known as “The Flying Finn.”

7. Jim Clark (28)

Jim Clark was a former British driver who raced from 1960 to 1968. He holds the 28 fastest laps in F1. His first fastest lap was at the 1961 Dutch Grand Prix with Team Lotus. And his last was in 1968 at the South African Grand Prix. Clark was a two-time Formula 1 world champion, in 1963 and 1965. He had 25 race wins and 32 podiums. During his time in F1, he was associated with Lotus. 

6. Nigel Mansell (30)

Nigel Mansell has 30 fastest laps in F1. He raced from 1980 to 1992 and made a comeback in 1994. Mansell retired in 1995. His first fastest lap was at the 1983 European Grand Prix with Lotus. He set the fastest lap for the last time in 1992 at the Japanese Grand Prix. Mansell also won the championship that year. He has 31 wins and 59 podiums in Formula 1. 

5. Sebastian Vettel (38)

Sebastian Vettel was active in Formula 1 from 2007 to 2022. He set his first fastest lap time at the 2009 British Grand Prix with Red Bull. And his last was at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix with Ferrari. Vettel won the F1 championships from 2010 to 2013, for four consecutive years. He has 53 race wins and 122 podiums. The German driver set 38 of the fastest laps in F1. 

4. Alain Prost (41)

Alain Prost set 41 fastest laps. His first was at the 1981 French Grand Prix, his home race. He was driving for Renault. His last was at the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix with Williams. Prost won four F1 world titles in 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1993. He has 51 wins and 106 podiums. He held the record for most wins in F1 until Micheal Schumacher surpassed him.

3. Kimi Raikkonen (46)

Kimi Raikkonen raced in Formula 1 from 2001 to 2009, he then returned and picked up where he left off from 2012 to 2021. He has 46 fastest laps in his F1 career. His first fastest lap was at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix with McLaren, a year after he joined Formula 1. Raikkonen’s last fastest lap of his Formula 1 career was with Ferrari at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix. “The Iceman” is the 2007 F1 world champion. He has 21 wins and 103 podiums. The Finnish man is considered one of the best F1 drivers.

2. Lewis Hamilton (61)

Lewis Hamilton has 61 fastest laps in his Formula 1 career so far. He entered the sport in 2007 with McLaren and set the fastest lap at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Hamilton’s last fastest lap was at the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix with Mercedes AMG Petronas. The Briton has a staggering record in Formula 1. He is the seven-time world champion who equaled Micheal Schumacher’s record. Hamilton won F1 titles in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. He has 103 race wins and 192 podiums. Hamilton also holds 103 pole positions. 

1. Micheal Schumacher (77)

Micheal Schumacher is known as the Formula 1 legend for a reason. He holds 77 fastest laps in the sport and is ranked first on the list. Schumacher made his debut in 1991 and retired in 2006. However, he was back for his second stint from 2010-2012. He set his first fastest lap a year after he joined F1, in 1992, at the Belgian GP with Ford. His last fastest lap was at the 2012 Hungarian GP with Mercedes. He holds seven championships, and no one has been able to break the record yet. However, Lewis Hamilton equaled his record. Schumacher won the titles in 1994 and 1995, then from 2000-2004. He has 91 race wins and 155 podiums in F1. 

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