10 of the greatest F1 drivers of all time… in the years they were at their best

Besides Stirling Moss, the only other non-world champion here. But he did win perhaps the most famous Grand Prix of all time, his Alfa overcoming the Nazi-backed Mercedes and Auto Unions to win at the ’Ring in 1935. Also won Le Mans and two Mille Miglias.

Of the 11 races that made up the 1971 world championship, Jackie won six. No one else won more than one. At the end of the season, his 63-point tally was almost double that of Ronnie Peterson in second. He had been similarly dominant for Matra in 1969.

In 1958 Stirling finished first, second or he retired. He won four times, but retired five, allowing Hawthorn, with only a single win, to lift the championship. He finished second or third in the championship for seven years on the trot.

Won four championships, always against talented team-mates – 1986 was his best, where he thrashed Keke Rosberg (as he had a waning Niki Lauda in 1985). Beat Mansell by two points, despite his McLaren being slower than Nige’s FW11.

Seven titles so far, but along with 2018, 2014 was his most impressive – apart from three retirements, he was never off the podium, winning outright 11 times. Relentless focus. A true competitor.

Driver, car and team in perfect harmony. That was Schumacher in 2004, when he won 13 of the 18 rounds. This was his seventh and final championship. Only Hamilton has won more races and been on the podium more often. Schuey still holds the record for fastest laps at 77.

A five-time world champion, 1954 was Fangio’s peak, winning six of the nine rounds, while managing a mid-season swap from Maserati to Mercedes. Won 24 of the 52 F1 races he took part in, giving him a win percentage of 47.06 that’s highly unlikely ever to be beaten.

The parallels with Senna’s ’88 season are uncanny – apart from the fact Verstappen’s team mate was a tugger. Or maybe everyone is alongside Max – his speed is as dazzling as his self-belief. Yes he had the fastest car by a mile, but 19 wins from 22 races? Who’s ever going to beat that?

Perhaps the most famous car/driver combination of all. In 1988, Senna won eight rounds, Prost seven. Lesser metal showed his true talent. Second in a Toleman at Monaco in 1984, or lapping the field for his first win in the Lotus 97T at a wet Estoril in 1985.

Won the F1 world championship twice, in 1963 and 1965. Both times utterly dominant, winning seven and six of the 10 races respectively. At the same time he was winning in Touring Cars, F2 and at the Indy 500. Would have won more championships given better reliability.