Ferrari has long been synonymous with passion, speed, and racing excellence in Formula 1. Over decades, the Scuderia Ferrari team has been home to some of the most iconic and best Ferrari F1 drivers who shaped not only the team’s legacy but also the history of motorsport. At Saboshirts.com, we pay tribute to these legendary drivers who raced under the famous red banner and left an indelible mark on Formula 1.
Top Best Ferrari F1 Drivers of All Time
Michael Schumacher – Best Ferrari F1 Drivers
Michael Schumacher is widely considered the greatest driver ever to race for Scuderia Ferrari, and a central figure when discussing the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers in history. His time with the Italian team not only redefined Ferrari’s modern era but also helped reshape the competitive landscape of Formula 1 in the early 2000s.
Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996, at a time when the team had not won a Drivers’ Championship since 1979. His arrival marked the beginning of a long-term transformation. Along with technical director Ross Brawn, chief designer Rory Byrne, and strategist Jean Todt, Schumacher helped build a dynasty that would come to dominate the sport. The results were historic: five consecutive World Championships from 2000 to 2004, and a total of 72 wins in red—more than any other Ferrari driver before or since.
What made Schumacher exceptional at Ferrari wasn’t just his pace—though his speed, especially in qualifying and in mixed conditions, was elite. It was his relentless work ethic, deep understanding of car development, and ability to galvanize an entire team around him. He spent countless hours testing, providing feedback, and pushing engineers to innovate, often blurring the lines between driver and technical leader.
On track, Schumacher was both brilliant and, at times, controversial. His determination to win sometimes led to aggressive tactics, including infamous incidents such as the collision with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 or blocking tactics during qualifying. Yet these moments, while divisive, are part of what made him such a relentless competitor. His dominance with Ferrari wasn’t just about the car—it was about his absolute refusal to accept second place.
Schumacher’s success restored Ferrari’s legacy after decades of underachievement. He became a symbol of the Prancing Horse, earning admiration not only for his victories but for his loyalty. Even after his first retirement in 2006, Schumacher remained linked to Ferrari in a consultancy role and was revered by the team and its fans as a transformative figure.
In evaluating the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers, there are other names—such as Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, and Alberto Ascari—that carry great weight. But none delivered Ferrari sustained dominance like Schumacher. His partnership with the team became a golden era that remains unmatched in terms of championships, wins, and influence.
In conclusion, Michael Schumacher is not just one of the best Ferrari drivers—he is arguably the best. His legacy with the Scuderia is defined by excellence, loyalty, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. For Ferrari, he wasn’t just a driver; he was the architect of an era.
Niki Lauda – Best Ferrari F1 Drivers
Niki Lauda is undeniably one of the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers of all time—not only for his championship victories with the team but also for his extraordinary resilience, technical brilliance, and lasting impact on Formula 1. His years at Ferrari in the 1970s were pivotal, both for his own legacy and for the resurgence of the Scuderia as a competitive force during a turbulent era.
Lauda joined Ferrari in 1974 after an impressive but under-the-radar start to his F1 career. At the time, Ferrari was in the midst of a rebuilding phase, struggling to return to the top. With Lauda’s arrival—alongside team manager Luca di Montezemolo and a revitalized engineering effort—the tide began to turn. By 1975, Lauda had claimed his first World Championship, delivering Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 1964. His driving style was methodical, precise, and technically informed—he was often praised for his ability to develop a car and provide unmatched feedback to engineers.
Lauda’s 1976 season further cemented his legendary status, not just as one of Ferrari’s best, but as one of the most courageous drivers in F1 history. That year, he dominated the early part of the season until his horrific crash at the Nürburgring, which nearly cost him his life. Against all odds, Lauda returned to racing just six weeks later, with his injuries still fresh, to compete in the final rounds of the championship. Although he narrowly lost the title to James Hunt, his comeback is regarded as one of the most heroic moments in sports history.
In 1977, Lauda reclaimed the World Championship with Ferrari, his second title with the team, before parting ways due to growing tensions with management. Despite the abrupt end to his Ferrari chapter, Lauda left the team having re-established it as a championship-winning powerhouse and having won 15 races in red.
Lauda’s strengths went beyond driving talent. He was known for his analytical mindset and no-nonsense approach, treating Formula 1 as a profession rather than a glamorous lifestyle. This perspective made him invaluable not just as a driver but later as a team consultant and executive, shaping the sport for decades beyond his racing years.
In any discussion about the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers, Lauda stands out not just for his titles but for the way he represented Ferrari: intelligent, tough, and relentlessly determined. While Michael Schumacher later brought a longer era of dominance, Lauda’s contributions came at a crucial turning point in the team’s history, reviving its prestige and proving that discipline and focus could triumph over chaos and politics.
In conclusion, Niki Lauda’s legacy with Ferrari is that of a champion, a survivor, and a team leader who laid the foundation for future greatness. His technical excellence, bravery, and championship pedigree make him not only one of the best Ferrari drivers ever—but one of the most respected figures in all of motorsport.
Kimi Räikkönen – Best Ferrari F1 Drivers
Kimi Räikkönen holds a unique place in the discussion of the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers, not only for being Ferrari’s most recent World Champion (as of 2025) but also for his consistency, cool-headed demeanor, and the loyalty he inspired among fans and the team. While his time at Ferrari wasn’t the most statistically dominant, his contributions were pivotal during a critical transition period for the Scuderia.
Räikkönen joined Ferrari in 2007, replacing Michael Schumacher—an immense legacy to follow. In his very first season, he delivered exactly what the team needed: a World Championship. In a tightly contested season that went down to the final race in Brazil, Kimi outscored both McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, by a single point. That triumph marked Ferrari’s last drivers’ title to date and instantly cemented Räikkönen’s legacy within the team’s rich history.
Kimi’s driving style was smooth, instinctive, and deeply mechanical. He was known for extracting speed with minimal tire degradation and excelling in tricky, low-grip conditions. Unlike many other champions, Räikkönen was relatively quiet and emotionally reserved—a trait that earned him the nickname “The Iceman.” However, behind that calm exterior was a fiercely competitive and deeply skilled racer.
Despite winning the title in 2007, Räikkönen’s following two seasons with Ferrari (2008–2009) were marked by inconsistency and internal challenges, particularly with car development and team dynamics. Nevertheless, he secured valuable wins and podiums, contributing to Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship in 2008. His first stint with the team ended in 2009 when Ferrari opted to replace him with Fernando Alonso.
Kimi returned to Ferrari in 2014 and stayed through the 2018 season. Though this second stint didn’t result in another title, it showed his enduring skill and maturity as a driver. He often played a supporting role to Sebastian Vettel during Ferrari’s challenge to Mercedes, yet he delivered solid performances, including a memorable win at the 2018 U.S. Grand Prix—his first victory in over five years. That win reminded fans and critics alike that Räikkönen, even late in his career, remained a world-class talent.
When assessing the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers, Räikkönen’s single championship might seem modest compared to the likes of Schumacher or Lauda. However, his title came during an incredibly competitive era, and his longevity, loyalty, and ability to deliver under pressure make him one of Ferrari’s most iconic modern drivers. He is also beloved for his straightforward personality, which stood in contrast to the often-politicized world of Formula 1.
In conclusion, Kimi Räikkönen’s place among Ferrari’s best is not based solely on statistics, but on timing, impact, and character. He brought home Ferrari’s last Drivers’ Championship, contributed meaningfully across two different eras, and did so in his own quiet, uncompromising way. His legacy with the Scuderia is one of grit, speed, and understated brilliance.
Alberto Ascari – Best Ferrari F1 Drivers
Alberto Ascari is one of the most legendary names in Ferrari’s storied history and a foundational figure when evaluating the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers. As Ferrari’s first Formula 1 World Champion and the team’s only back-to-back title winner until the modern era, Ascari played a critical role in establishing Scuderia Ferrari as a dominant force in the early days of the World Championship.
Ascari joined Ferrari in the late 1940s and quickly became Enzo Ferrari’s most trusted and capable driver. His peak came in the 1952 and 1953 seasons, when he won two consecutive World Championships with Ferrari. During that time, he was virtually unbeatable. In 1952, he won six of the eight championship races he entered—five of them in a row. This winning streak extended into 1953, and at one point he held the record for the most consecutive Grand Prix victories (7) and the highest win percentage in a season.
What made Ascari exceptional wasn’t just his pace—it was his smooth, calculated, and precise driving style. He was methodical rather than flamboyant, with a deep mechanical understanding of the car, which made him a consistent and dependable force on the track. In a time when reliability was a major challenge, Ascari’s ability to conserve his machinery while maintaining a strong pace was a major asset.
Ascari’s dominance came during an era that demanded immense bravery. Safety standards were minimal, the cars were fragile, and fatal accidents were common. Despite this, Ascari raced with intelligence and control, earning widespread respect for his discipline and humility.
He was also known for his close relationship with Enzo Ferrari, who viewed Ascari as not just a driver, but a symbol of Ferrari’s racing spirit. Their partnership helped shape the identity of Ferrari in motorsport: bold, technical, and relentlessly competitive. Sadly, their collaboration came to an early end when Ascari left Ferrari in 1954 to drive for Lancia. His untimely death in 1955, just days after surviving a crash at Monaco, only deepened his mythos as a brilliant talent lost too soon.
While Alberto Ascari’s F1 career was brief, his impact was immense. His 13 wins and two titles came in just 33 race starts—a record that speaks to both his talent and the dominance he brought to Ferrari in the early 1950s. Few drivers have managed to win multiple championships with Ferrari, and even fewer did it with the grace and control that Ascari displayed.
In conclusion, Alberto Ascari’s legacy as one of the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers is undisputed. He was Ferrari’s first true champion, a technical and tactical master behind the wheel, and a driver whose contributions helped build the foundation upon which Ferrari’s legacy still rests today. Though modern fans may be more familiar with later champions like Schumacher or Lauda, Ascari remains the original benchmark of Ferrari excellence.
Sebastian Vettel – Best Ferrari F1 Drivers
Sebastian Vettel occupies a complex yet respected place in the history of the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers. While he didn’t win a World Championship with the Scuderia, his time at Ferrari (2015–2020) was marked by moments of brilliance, passionate commitment, and a genuine emotional connection to the team and its legacy.
Vettel joined Ferrari in 2015, stepping into the shoes of Fernando Alonso and attempting to bring the team back to championship-winning form. Coming off four consecutive titles with Red Bull Racing, expectations were high. From the outset, Vettel embraced Ferrari’s heritage, famously idolizing Michael Schumacher—his childhood hero—and forming a strong bond with the Tifosi.
Vettel’s Ferrari career began promisingly. He won three races in 2015 and quickly re-established the team as a competitive force. The car wasn’t on par with Mercedes in terms of raw performance, but Vettel’s skill—particularly in race management and tire preservation—kept Ferrari in the conversation. His strongest championship challenge came in 2017 and 2018, seasons in which Ferrari produced cars capable of fighting for the title. During those years, Vettel secured multiple pole positions and race victories, reminding the paddock of his elite ability.
However, key mistakes—both from Vettel and Ferrari—undermined those campaigns. Strategic errors, reliability issues, and some high-profile driver errors (such as the crash while leading in Hockenheim 2018) caused momentum to falter. These moments became a defining aspect of his Ferrari tenure: strong performances undone by inconsistency at crucial times.
Despite these setbacks, Vettel remained deeply professional and loyal. Even as younger talents emerged and Ferrari’s internal dynamics shifted, he stayed focused and committed to the team’s goals. His final years with Ferrari were more difficult, especially 2020, when the car was uncompetitive and the team announced his contract would not be renewed. Still, Vettel handled the situation with grace, earning widespread respect for his conduct and maturity.
In evaluating Vettel among the Best Ferrari F1 Drivers, it’s important to view his contributions holistically. Statistically, he brought Ferrari 14 wins, 12 poles, and two genuine title challenges—numbers that, while short of the team’s golden standards, reflect a significant effort during an ultra-competitive era. He also helped re-energize the brand during a period of rebuilding and brought heart, visibility, and leadership to the team.
In conclusion, Sebastian Vettel may not have brought a title to Ferrari, but he undoubtedly played a major role in restoring pride and competitiveness to the team in the post-Schumacher era. His passion for the red car, combined with his race-winning performances and dignified character, make him one of the most respected and emotionally resonant figures in Ferrari’s recent history. As such, he earns his place among the best to have driven for the Scuderia—not as its most successful, but as one of its most admired.
Whether it’s Michael Schumacher’s record-breaking reign, Lauda’s bravery, or Räikkönen’s cool composure, Ferrari’s legacy is defined by extraordinary talents. These best Ferrari F1 drivers exemplify what it means to race for the iconic red team.