Max Verstappen sits with these F1 legends on four world titles
Red Bull Content Pool
F1 News
Max Verstappen is Formula 1 world champion for the fourth time in a row. This puts Verstappen on a unique list of drivers who have become world champions four times in a row.
His fourth world title puts Verstappen level with Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. Prost won his world titles between 1985 and 1993, whereas Vettel won his four titles in a row between 2010 and 2013. In doing so, Verstappen now officially leaves three-time world champions Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna and his girlfriend's father, Nelson Piquet, behind.
Verstappen matches Prost and Vettel
In the list of greats, there are now only three names above Verstappen when it comes to title wins. Juan Manuel Fangio is first ahead of Verstappen on the list, with five world titles to his name. The Argentine won his five world titles between 1951 and 1957. The other two are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Both with seven world titles to their names.
With four world titles in a row, Verstappen also joins a unique list. Only four other drivers in F1 history have managed to do that. Hamilton did so most recently between 2017 and 2020, but Vettel (2010-2013) and Fangio (1954-1957) also achieved a run of four. Only Michael Schumacher ever managed a run of five titles in a row from 2000 to 2004.
Verstappen never became the youngest world champion, but he is still young. In fact, all four of his world titles are among the top 20 youngest F1 drivers of all time. Verstappen's fourth world title, at the age of 27, comes in 16th place on the list. Sebastian Vettel is still the youngest F1 world champion at 23 years, 4 months, and 11 days.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton