Who has the most wins a season in F1?
Formula 1 has seen 113 different Grand Prix winners from 774 drivers who started a race.
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Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen
Formula One has a rich history of talented drivers who have pushed the limits of their machines to achieve greatness. One measure of success in F1 is the number of races won in a single season. With the sport spanning over seven decades, there have been several drivers who have managed to achieve an impressive number of wins in a single season.
Delve in and take a closer look at who holds the record for the most wins in a single season in F1, as well as some of the other drivers who have come close to breaking this record and the impressive seasons these drivers had. These drivers have demonstrated their mastery of the sport, ability to handle the pressure, and dedication to their craft.
Discover: What is right to review in F1?
Here is a list of F1 drivers who have won most races a season
Lewis Hamilton (11 wins)
Lewis Hamilton‘s impact on motorsports is undeniable, with a staggering seven world championships, 103* victories, and 103* pole positions to his name. Breaking records seems to be a routine for Hamilton, as he has almost rewritten the entire history of F1. His championship-worthy driving has been evident from the beginning of his career, and he continued to exhibit his prowess with Mercedes in the turbo hybrid era. Hamilton’s reign as the top driver spanned seven consecutive years, from 2014 to 2020.
Throughout his career, Hamilton has managed to win an impressive eleven times in a single season, achieving this feat four times. Although he could not participate in a race due to COVID in 2020, Hamilton still managed to capture an astounding 11 victories in a truncated season of only 17 races. His most memorable performance came at the 2018 German Grand Prix, where he fought through challenging weather conditions to claim victory, earning him the championship’s momentum that year.
Michael Schumacher (11 wins)
Michael Schumacher revolutionized the world of Formula 1 with his legendary work ethic and unparalleled fitness. After bagging two championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, he transitioned to Ferrari in 1996. Upon joining the Italian team, Schumacher brought his A-game, outperforming his car to play a significant role in the team’s resurgence to the top. His efforts transformed Ferrari into an unstoppable force, securing five consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004.
The 2002 season stands out as an iconic year as Schumacher masterfully triumphed in eleven out of the seventeen races in the season. The German driver exhibited sheer dominance, finishing first or second in every race except one. Schumacher’s dominance was so absolute that he clinched the championship in July of that year, with Ferrari’s total points surpassing those of all the remaining teams combined.
Sebastian Vettel (13 wins)
Sebastian Vettel idolized Michael Schumacher and looked up to his compatriot as a driving force in his life. Between 2010 and 2013, Vettel’s stunning performances for Red Bull Racing secured him an enviable record, winning four consecutive championships. The German driver faced a daunting challenge from the likes of Fernando Alonso and Ferrari during this period. Still, he remained unbudged, emerging as the undisputed champion in each season. In 2013, Vettel finally realized his childhood dream of emulating his idol Schumacher. Vettel also had a commendable season in 2011, where he won 11 races out of 19.
The 2013 season was an unforgettable one for Vettel, who dominated the field with a remarkable 13 victories out of 19 races. The second half of the season saw Vettel at his absolute best, winning a phenomenal nine consecutive races. This achievement, which remains unmatched today, was a testament to his skill. One of his most memorable victories came at the Indian Grand Prix, where a faulty tire choice by the team could not stop him from achieving a remarkable comeback. Employing an alternate strategy, he powered through the field to take the chequered flag with a staggering 28-second lead over his rivals. It was at this event that Vettel clinched his fourth consecutive championship title, cementing his place as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
Michael Schumacher (13 wins)
2004 was a pinnacle season for Michael Schumacher and his trusty Ferrari. It was the year that Schumacher clinched his seventh and final championship title. With 13 wins out of a total of 18 races, Schumacher outshone every other driver on the circuit, a feat that still stands as a record today, with an impressive win rate of 72.22%.
Ferrari had the season on lock, with a total of 15 victories out of the 18 races. Schumacher’s dominance over the field was almost tedious at times, with 12 of the first 13 races being won by him. He could have easily made it 13 out of 13 if he hadn’t crashed during the Monaco Grand Prix while leading. His win at the Spa Francochamps sealed the championship, which was particularly special as it was the same track where he made his debut. Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a single season remained unbroken for almost two decades until Sebastian Vettel managed to match it. However, it was Max Verstappen who finally broke the record.
Max Verstappen (15 wins)
Max Verstappen is widely regarded as a prodigious talent in the world of motorsports. At just 25 years old, he’s already a dominant force and the driver everyone’s gunning for. In 2021, he won his first championship after a fierce fight with Lewis Hamilton. Some skeptics thought it might be a fluke, but Max proved them all wrong in 2022 by winning a staggering 15 out of 22 races. A record that made it to the top numbers of the table.
Although Max started the 2022 season at a disadvantage, he and his crew fought together and made up for their deficit against Ferrari, displaying their unrivaled dominance throughout the year. One of Max’s standout moments in 2022 came at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he started way back in 15th place on the grid. He sliced through the competition and took the lead by the 12th lap. Ultimately, he won the race by a huge margin of 18 seconds, leaving his teammate in a second place far behind. While his achievement was nothing short of spectacular, Verstappen modestly attributed his triumph to an increase in the number of races in 2022, which allowed him to break Michael Schumacher’s record and capture two additional victories.
| Driver | Team | Season | Wins |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2022 | 15 |
| Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 2004 | 13 |
| Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 2013 | 13 |
| Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 2002 | 11 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2014 | 11 |
| Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 2011 | 11 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2018 | 11 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2019 | 11 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 2020 | 11 |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 2021 | 10 |
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