Where does Lewis Hamilton rank on the list of best British drivers?

There has been a formidable history between Formula 1 and British drivers, with many of the world champions calling Britain home.

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However, the discussion centring around the best British driver has changed year-on-year, with many claiming different drivers are the best depending on the era that they grew up watching. But, right now, are we living in the era of the most dominant British driver in F1 history?

Jackie Stewart

It’s hard to talk about famous British drivers without starting with a driver that was a pioneer for the sport between the 60s and 70s. Stewart was a household name throughout his career on the track and achieved three championship victories in nine years. His first title came in 1969 before he won further Drivers’ Championships in 1971 and 1973.

Furthermore, he managed to finish second in the standings on two occasions. He started 100 races during his career and won on 27 occasions. Stewart finished on pole 17 times and recorded the fastest lap on 15 occasions. However, for everything that he achieved on the track, it was also his impact making racing safer that is revered to this day.

Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell holds a record that looks unlikely to ever be matched, as he remains the only driver to simultaneously hold the F1 and CART Indy Car World Series titles. Mansell only won one F1 title during his career, with that success coming in 1993. However, he is still regarded as one of the finest F1 drivers in the history of the sport.

The 67-year-old is the second most successful British driver according to the wins that he achieved on the track, as only Lewis Hamilton has won more than the 31 that were recorded by Mansell during his 15-year Formula 1 career. As well as being the British driver with the second-highest wins, he also has the seventh most overall in the history of the sport. His reputation is one of the brightest in the industry, as he was named in the top ten drivers by Murray Walker, and also named in the top 25 drivers of all-time by ESPN. You can learn more about the life of Nigel Mansell at WeLoveBrum.co.uk.

Lewis Hamilton

If you’re basing the argument on the best British driver on stats, then there really is only one winner. Hamilton has been dominant in Formula 1 throughout his career, and no other driver has won more championships than the Brit. He is currently tied for the most with Michael Schumacher, but an eighth championship looks to be on the cards this season. Hamilton also holds the record for most pole positions, wins and podium finishes in the history of the sport.

As well as his performances on the track, Hamilton has played a vital role in the success of the sport on a global scale, as he has brought new eyes to the sport. Furthermore, he plays a massive part in off-track issues such as diversity in motor racing and was named as one of the most influential people in the world by Time last year.