In this article, check out the top 5 drivers with the most lap records. Currently, Michael Schumacher has the most number of lap records.
1. Michael Schumacher
Like all the great drivers Schumacher had exceptional ambition, confidence, intelligence, motivation, dedication and determination. What set him apart and helped account for his unprecedented length of time at the top was a pure passion for racing and an endless quest for improvement.
Blessed with a supreme natural talent honed to the highest degree, he had a racing brain to match and spare mental capacity that enabled him to make split-second decisions, adapt to changing circumstances and plan ahead while driving on the limit, which with his superb state of fitness (he trained harder than any driver) he could do consistently for lengthy periods of time. The smoothly swift and mechanically-aware driver operated with a keen sensitivity for the limits of his car and himself (he seldom made mistakes) and his feedback to the engineers (led by technical director Ross Brawn who worked with him throughout his career) was invariably astute.
No Ferrari driver worked harder for the team, nor were any of them more appreciated than the German who led the Italian team to six successive Constructors' Championships. He led by example, frequently visiting the factory at Maranello, talking to the personnel, thanking them, encouraging them, never criticizing and inspiring everyone with his optimism, high energy level and huge work ethic. The team was devoted to the driver who often said he loved the Ferrari 'family.'
Albert park - 1:24:125
Bahrain(2004) – 1:30:252
Barcelona(1991-93) – 1:20:989
Barcelona(1994) – 1:25:155
Hungary – 1:16:207
Imola – 1:20:411
Interlagos – 1:18:422
Magny-Corus – 1:15:377
Monaco (1996) – 1:21:076
Monaco ( 2004) – 1:14:439
Montreal – 1:28:927
Okayama – 1:24:023
Shanghai – 1:32:283
Spa – 1:47:176
Spielberg – 1:08:377
Suzuka – 1:36:125
Also Read | Michael Schumacher Net worth
2. Lewis Hamilton
Not only did Lewis show incredible pace on the track, but he also climbed the career ladder at an impressive rate. After he had blown the competition out of the water in every category of karting and won the McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future series, McLaren Mercedes enrolled him on their Young Driver Programme in 1997. In 2001, he moved up into British Formula Renault, winning the title two years later.
Lewis's winning streak continued unabated in the Formula 3 Euro Series. He was crowned junior champion whilst still in his second year and subsequently progressed to the GP2 Series with ART Grand Prix. Despite his rookie status, Lewis dominated the Championship - taking five victories on his way to the title. This success immediately led to his promotion to the very pinnacle of motor racing - Formula One.
Lewis made his Grand Prix debut with McLaren Mercedes on 18 March 2007 as team-mate to reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso, whilst still only 22 years old. Despite his youth, he remained in contention for the title right up until the season finale in Brazil - challenging top drivers with considerably more experience. The numerous records set by Lewis in his rookie season highlighted his class - including the most race wins, pole positions and points scored in a debut season.
Hungary – 1:16:627
Imola – 1:15:484
Jeddah – 1:30:784
Monaco – 1:12:909
Mugelio – 1:18:833
Portimao – 1:18:750
Singapore – 1:45:008
Sochi – 1:35:761
Suzuka - 1:30:983
Yas Marina – 1:39:283
Zandvoort – 1:11:097
Also Read | Lewis Hamilton Net worth
3. Damon Hill
In 1993, at the age of 33 and with only two Grand Prix starts on his CV, Damon made the most of the opportunity, winning three races and finishing third overall to his title-winning team mate Alain Prost, who then retired from Formula One racing. The next year, after Prost's replacement Ayrton Senna was killed in his third race with Williams, the task of leading the team fell to Damon, who responded brilliantly, helping rebuild morale and driving himself to exceed all expectations, save his own. His 1994 championship battle with Benetton's Michael Schumacher ended when they collided controversially in the final race at Adelaide. Schumacher, who was accused by some of deliberately taking his rival out, won the title by a single point from Hill, whom others thought could have avoided the crash.
Adelaide – 1:15:381
Estoril – 1:14:859
Imola – 1:24:335
Monza – 1:23:575
Silverstone – 1:24:960
Spa – 1:57:117
Also Read | Top exciting and upcoming talents in Formula 1
4. Niki Lauda
Ferrari, who hadn't had a champion since John Surtees in 1964, was impressed by the skinny, buck-toothed Austrian's self-confidence and no-nonsense work ethic, though rather taken aback by his brutal honesty. After his first test in the 1974 Ferrari 312 Niki informed Enzo that the car was "a piece of shit," but promised him he could make it raceworthy. Now in the spotlight as a possible Ferrari saviour, the media noted Lauda's cool, calculating clinical approach and nicknamed him 'The Computer.' However, The Computer's driving still had some glitches and he made several costly errors in 1974. Niki said that learning from mistakes was the fastest way to improve, corroborating this theory with a first Formula One victory in Spain, then another in Holland.
In his 1975 Ferrari 312/T Niki stormed to victories in Monaco, Belgium, Sweden, France and the USA to become World Champion. All of Italy rejoiced at Ferrari's first driving title in over a decade, though the glory meant little to the unsentimental new hero. Claiming that his mounting collection of "useless" trophies was cluttering up his home in Austria, he gave them to the local garage in exchange for free car washes.
Anderstorp – 1:24:836
Brands Hatch – 1:21:001
Dallas – 1:45:353
Long beach – 1:28:330
Nürburgring - 1:22:806
Spielberg – 1:34:850
5. Sebastian Vettel
Vettel’s trademark is pure pace – and of course his one-finger victory salute. In the chase to the chequered flag, he likes to lead from the front and just like his hero, Michael Schumacher. But for all his competitive streak, Vettel has a playful side too and has been known to let loose with a spot of Beatles karaoke - and baby can he drive a car.
Alongside his four world crowns he can boast more than 50 pole positions and race victories, ranking him – statistically - above many of the biggest names in F1 history. No wonder then that he has twice been hand-picked to return some of Grand Prix oldest names to glory.
Following his move to Maranello, that mission didn’t exactly go to plan as Vettel’s rivalry with Lewis Hamilton intensified. Then came an additional thorn in his side – young-gun Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc, the first man to outscore him over a season at the Scuderia.
His latest challenge is as Aston Martin’s team leader. He has already put them on the podium, but Vettel will need to call on all his speed and experience if he’s to regularly reassert himself over his rivals – and re-establish his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Buddh Intl Circuit – 1:27:249
Paul Richard – 1:32:749
Sepang – 1:34:080
Silverstone – 1:18:119
Singapore – 1:48:574
Yeongnam – 1:39:605
