The British Formula 1 (F1) champions are a testament to the nation's rich history in motorsport. With Lando Norris becoming the 11th different driver from the UK to claim the ultimate prize, it's clear that the country's dominance in F1 is not just a coincidence. But who are the best of the best? Let's take a look at the top British F1 champions, ranked in reverse order, and explore what makes each of them unique. But here's where it gets controversial...
Mike Hawthorn (1958): While Hawthorn might be at the bottom of the list, there's no shame in that. He was a driver of his time, and his modest tally of three wins includes the iconic 1953 French Grand Prix win. And this is the part most people miss...
Lando Norris (2025): Norris has the potential to rise above his current position, but his career so far has been a bit of a struggle. His openness about his personal struggles sets him apart from the conventional expectations of F1 heroes, but his inner strength will serve him well in the future.
Jenson Button (2009): After years of waiting for the right car, Button made the most of his opportunity in 2009. His smooth driving in changeable conditions was sensational, and he took full advantage of Brawn's twin-diffuser headstart to build up an almost insurmountable lead.
Damon Hill (1996): Hill was unfairly maligned in his time, and his legacy has been underrated. As a rookie, he kept his demotivated team-mate Alain Prost on his toes, and he stepped up manfully to lead Williams after Ayrton Senna's death. While he often came off second-best in his battles with Michael Schumacher, there were days where he was simply world class.
John Surtees (1964): Surtees' time at the top was fleeting, but on his day, he was a match for Jim Clark. The fact that he misses out on the 1964 crown under every other points system used in F1 shouldn't downplay his achievement. His intense and driven nature meant he was always destined to fall out with Ferrari (and his subsequent teams).
James Hunt (1976): Hunt's title owed no small debt to Niki Lauda's injuries, but he posed the biggest threat to Lauda's status during the 1975-77 period. He was fast, aggressive, and passionately driven, but his time at the top was short due to his off-track activities. To many, he set the standard for F1 co-commentators.
Graham Hill (1962, 1968): Hill was a good but not a great driver who used his determination to augment his skill. His Monaco record speaks for itself, and while he drove on way past his best years, that shouldn't detract from what he was able to do in his pomp.
Nigel Mansell (1992): Mansell was a national hero who could have easily been a three-time champion if luck had gone his way. He was insanely brave, and it's hard to imagine a better car and machine combo than Mansell in the FW14B. Watching him fling that car around the track was an incredible experience.
Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973): Stewart had the defining look of a 1960s/70s F1 driver, and he had the racing chops to go with it. He had it all: outright pace, mechanical understanding, and racecraft, and he put that all to devastating effect. He quit at the top and never looked back, which is the mark of real class.
Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020): Hamilton's phenomenal record might be hard to reconcile with the driver who's struggled to match George Russell and Charles Leclerc. But this overlooks his previous body of work, where he matched tremendous speed with sublime racecraft and superb wet-weather skills. He was the complete driver.
Jim Clark (1963, 1965): Clark is not just the best British world champion, but also one of the greatest drivers of all time. He was incredibly fast, smooth, and light on his equipment, and his combination with Colin Chapman is one of the most celebrated in all sports. The fact that he is still revered almost 60 years after his tragic death speaks volumes about the impact he made on the sport.
