The World Drivers' Championship is presented by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body, to the most successful driver over the course of the season of Formula One races, through a points system based on individual race results. The World Championship is awarded at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony after the season.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton hold the record for the most World Drivers' championshipsâÂÂsevenâÂÂtrailed by Juan Manuel Fangio with five. Schumacher holds the record for the most consecutive titles: five, from the to seasons. Nigel Mansell competed in the most seasons before winning the title: 13; he entered Formula One in and won the title in . Nico Rosberg has the highest number of Grand Prix starts before winning his first title: 206, from the 2006 Bahrain and the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel is the youngest champion; he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won in . Juan Manuel Fangio is the oldest; he was 46 years and 41 days old when he won the title.
As of the season, the 76 titles have been won by 35 of the 782 drivers who have started a Grand Prix. The first champion was Giuseppe Farina, in ; the current title holder is Lando Norris in the season. The title has been won by 11 drivers from the United Kingdom a total of 21 times, more than any other nation, followed by Brazil, Finland, and Germany with three drivers each. The title has been won by drivers from Scuderia Ferrari 15 times between 9 drivers, more than any other team, followed by McLaren with 13 titles between 8 drivers. The championship has been won in the final race of the season 31 times in the 76 seasons it has been awarded. Schumacher won the championship with six races left in a season, a record: the title at that year's . The points system has twice crowned a championâÂÂJohn Surtees in and Ayrton Senna in âÂÂwho scored fewer points overall than the driver who finished second. Max Verstappen won the 2023 title with 290 points more than the second-place Sergio Pérez, a record, while Niki Lauda won the 1984 title with the closest gap: 0.5 points over Alain Prost.
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their first win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Where drivers have won more than one World Drivers' Championship, only their last win is noted here. Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
A total of 11 drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the World Drivers' Championship. Of those, only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton have won two sets of consecutive Formula One Drivers' championships.
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Drivers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Constructors in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Engine manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Tyre manufacturers in bold have competed in the 2026 World Championship.
Numbers in parentheses indicate championships won as the sole tyre supplier.