Which F1 driver has the most podium finishes? Hamilton, Schumacher and more

Since the F1 championship commenced in 1950, over 200 unique drivers have earned podium finishes. While numerous competitors aim for race victories, podium placements remain crucial for both drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

Top F1 Drivers by Podium Finishes

1. Lewis Hamilton – 201 Podiums

First Podium: 2007 Australian GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2024 Belgian GP (1st)
Total Wins: 105
Total Championships: 7 (2008, 2014-2015, 2017-2020)

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Lewis Hamilton recently added to his impressive record of podium finishes, reaching his 200th podium at the 2024 Hungarian GP. He has held the title for the most podiums since the 2020 Spanish GP, consistently extending his record over the past four years.

His journey began with a podium at his debut race, the 2007 Australian GP, while driving for McLaren. At just 22, he executed a daring overtake on the first corner, surpassing his teammate Fernando Alonso, the reigning world champion. He briefly led the race due to earlier pit strategies but ultimately finished behind Kimi Raikkonen and Alonso.

His landmark 100th podium was achieved at the 2016 Japanese GP, where he began second but slipped to eighth due to wet conditions. Throughout the race, he fought valiantly to reclaim positions, narrowly missing a pass on Max Verstappen.

Hamilton’s 200th podium came at the 2024 Hungarian GP, securing a third-place finish behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. He successfully battled Verstappen, even after a collision on lap 63. Just two weeks earlier, he celebrated his first win in three years at the British GP.

The most recent podium came at the 2024 Belgian GP, where he earned his 105th career win. Starting from third due to Verstappen’s grid penalty, Hamilton led briefly before ultimately finishing first after Russell’s disqualification.

2. Michael Schumacher – 155 Podiums

First Podium: 1992 Mexican GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2012 European GP (3rd)
Total Wins: 91
Total Championships: 7 (1994-1995, 2000-2004)

Photo by: Lorenzo Bellanca / Motorsport Images

Michael Schumacher’s record for most podiums stood until Hamilton surpassed it in 2020. Notably, Schumacher remains the sole driver to have claimed podiums in every race of a season, achieved during his fifth championship-winning year of 2002.

Schumacher’s first podium occurred at the 1992 Mexican GP with Benetton, where he held off Gerhard Berger to secure third. His 100th podium came at the 2002 Brazilian GP, where he led the race despite fierce competition from his brother Ralf.

His last podium was in 2012 at the European GP, marking a significant return since his comeback in 2010, where he achieved his only podium finish after a long hiatus.

3. Sebastian Vettel – 122 Podiums

First Podium: 2008 Italian GP (1st)
Last Podium: 2021 Azerbaijan GP (1st)
Total Wins: 53
Total Championships: 4 (2010-2013)

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Vettel’s first podium was also his debut win at the 2008 Italian GP while competing for Toro Rosso. This victory made him the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race at just 21 years and 73 days, a record later broken by Verstappen in 2016.

His 100th podium came with another victory at the 2018 Australian GP, successfully leading the race after passing Raikkonen and Hamilton.

Vettel’s last podium came in 2021 with Aston Martin at the Azerbaijan GP, where he finished second, making a strategic comeback through the grid after initially qualifying 11th.

4. Max Verstappen – 107 Podiums

First Podium: 2016 Spanish GP (1st)
Last Podium: 2024 British GP (2nd)
Total Wins: 61
Total Championships: 3 (2021-2023)

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Verstappen holds the record for the most podiums in a single F1 season, achieving this in 2023 by placing in the top three in 21 out of 22 races, with a fifth-place finish in Singapore being his only exception. This surpasses his previous record of 18 podiums set in 2021.

His first podium occurred at the 2016 Spanish GP during his debut for Red Bull, where he moved up through the ranks after both Mercedes faced early retirements.

Verstappen reached his 100th podium at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, following a streak of consecutive victories and showcasing his dominance over the season.

The most recent podium came during the 2024 British GP, where he followed a strategic pit stop strategy but ultimately finished second, unable to overcome Hamilton’s lead.

=5. Alain Prost – 106 Podiums

First Podium: 1981 Argentine GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 1993 Australian GP (2nd)
Total Wins: 51
Total Championships: 4 (1985-1986, 1989, 1993)

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Alain Prost clinched his initial podium at the 1981 French GP, a race marred by rain and requiring a restart. He started third but quickly took the lead amid chaos caused by weather conditions, earning his inaugural win among a total of 51 during his career.

The 100th podium of Prost’s career was secured at the 1993 French GP, marking his last victory before retiring. At that time, he became the first driver to achieve 100 podium finishes, a record he held until it was surpassed by Michael Schumacher.

His final podium appearance came in 1993 at the Australian GP, a significant race as it marked the end of his illustrious career in Formula 1.

=5. Fernando Alonso – 106 Podiums

First Podium: 2003 Malaysian GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2023 Brazilian GP (3rd)
Total Wins: 32
Total Championships: 2 (2005-2006)

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Fernando Alonso shares the same podium count as Prost, sitting at 106. He achieved his first podium at the 2003 Malaysian GP, finishing third after starting from pole position, thus becoming the youngest pole sitter at that time.

His 100th podium was at the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP. Despite a post-race penalty for a procedural error, he regained his podium slot after a review by the stewards confirmed his position was valid.

Alonso’s latest podium was celebrated at the 2023 Brazilian GP, marking his most podium finishes in a season in a decade, as he passed Perez in the last lap to secure third place.

7. Kimi Raikkonen – 103 Podiums

First Podium: 2002 Australian GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2018 Brazilian GP (3rd)
Total Wins: 21
Total Championships: 1 (2007)

Photo by: Lorenzo Bellanca / Motorsport Images

Raikkonen is among the last drivers to surpass the 100 podium milestone. He celebrated his first podium at the 2002 Australian GP with McLaren, where he advanced due to early race incidents impacting others.

His century mark came at the 2018 Italian GP, where he astounded local fans with a brilliant performance, and his final podium came just later in the Brazilian GP, completing a low-key but successful campaign.

8. Ayrton Senna – 80 Podiums

First Podium: 1984 Monaco GP (2nd)
Last Podium: 1993 Australian GP (1st)
Total Wins: 41
Total Championships: 3 (1988, 1990-1991)

Photo by: Sutton Images

Ayrton Senna accumulated a total of 80 podium finishes during his remarkable decade-long career. His first podium arrived at the 1984 Monaco GP, concluding a challenging inaugural season that showed great promise amidst adversity.

Senna’s last podium occurred at the 1993 Australian GP, capturing the victory in what was to be a dramatic conclusion to his relationship with McLaren before he transitioned to Williams the following season.

9. Rubens Barrichello – 68 Podiums

First Podium: 1994 Pacific GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2009 Italian GP (1st)
Total Wins: 11
Total Championships: 0

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Barrichello secured his first podium at the 1994 Pacific GP, marking a successful debut for Jordan through a combination of lucky circumstances during the race.

The Brazilian’s final podium was at the 2009 Italian GP with Brawn GP, who scored their last win along with his personal victory before transitioning to IndyCar.

10. Valtteri Bottas – 67 Podiums

First Podium: 2014 Austrian GP (3rd)
Last Podium: 2021 Saudi Arabian GP (3rd)
Total Wins: 10
Total Championships: 0

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Bottas claimed his first podium at the 2014 Austrian GP, finishing third behind Mercedes drivers despite starting in second. His last podium occurred at the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, showcasing another competitive outing before departing from Mercedes.

Summary of Podium Places for 2024 Drivers

A total of 17 current drivers have achieved podium finishes in their careers, with only Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant yet to secure any trophies.