F1: Most wins, most poles, and seven titles, where does Lewis Hamilton fit among Formula One's greatest drivers?

As Hamilton joins Schumacher at top of all-time drivers' titles, a look back at the best

Published: November 17, 2020 17:20 Last updated: November 18, 2020 16:05 Matthew Smith, Sport Editor

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After Lewis Hamilton drew level with Michael Schumacher with seven Formula One drivers' champion titles in Turkey on Sunday, debate rages over which driver is the sport’s greatest of all time. While Hamilton sits joint-top and - Schumacher apart - way ahead of his racing predecessors, it is nigh on impossible to compare drivers from different eras. Image Credit: Reuters

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But with such a dramatic race where he looked down-and-out, Hamilton on Sunday not only hauled himself back into contention with the bravest of drives in horrendous conditions to pick up enough points to claim the title, he went on to win the Istanbul race, leaving everyone spinning in his wake (literally). To claim victory in such stunning fashion was the icing on the cake of a season where he has shown he truly deserves his place among some of the greatest names in the sport. Image Credit: Reuters

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Hamilton has been his ruthless best in a campaign that was disrupted by coronavirus, and his impressive stance against racism in the face of adversity only drew more admiration. Image Credit: Reuters

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Due to technological advancements and alterations in the teams, calendar, number of races, locations and track evolution, the debates over whom is the GOAT (greatest of all time) will continue - but no one can argue Hamilton is right in the mix at the top of that list now. Image Credit: Agencies

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In no particular order, here is our selection of the best of the rest over the years. Juan Manuel Fangio (1950-1958): World championships: 5. Race wins: 24. Pole positions: 29 Image Credit: Supplied

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Jim Clark (1960-1968): World championships: 2. Race wins: 25. Pole positions: 33 Image Credit: Gulf News Archives

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Jackie Stewart (1965-1973): World championships: 3. Race wins: 27. Pole positions: 17 Image Credit: AFP

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Niki Lauda (1971-1985): World championships: 3. Race wins: 25. Pole positions: 24 Image Credit: Wiki Commons

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Alain Prost (1980-1993): World championships: 4. Race wins: 51. Pole positions: 33 Image Credit: Agencies

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Ayrton Senna (1984-1994): World championships: 3. Race wins: 41. Pole positions: 65 Image Credit: WikiCommons

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Graham Hill (1958-1975): World championships: 2. Race wins: 14. Pole positions: 13 Image Credit: Supplied

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James Hunt (1973-1979): World championships: 1. Race wins: 10. Pole positions: 14 Image Credit: Getty Images

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Michael Schumacher (1991-2012): World championships: 7. Race wins: 91. Pole positions: 68 Image Credit: Agency

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Lewis Hamilton (2007-present): World championships: 7. Race wins: 94 Pole positions: 97 Image Credit: Reuters

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It's not the first time Hamilton has won in Turkey. He triumphed 10 years ago with McLaren as he began to build a legacy like no other. Image Credit: AFP

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One decade on, same result in Istanbul. With Hamilton committed to continuing with the dominant Mercedes next season, it is quite possible that the Briton - who could easily race on for another five years at least - could take the records into untouchable and astronomical realms. Greatest of All Time (?) with more to come. Image Credit: Agencies

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