Formula 1 is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, and is widely considered to be the most prestigious and exciting form of motor sport in the world. It is also the oldest, having been established in 1950. The drivers who compete in the sport are some of the most talented athletes around, and the stakes are high as they battle for the championship title.
In the 70 years since the first F1 championship was held, there have been many drivers who have achieved success. Some of them have achieved the ultimate goal of becoming Formula 1 champions. What makes them even more remarkable is that some of these champions have achieved this title at a very young age. Here is a look at the 10 youngest Formula 1 champions of all time.
1. Sebastian Vettel (23 years, 134 days)
Sebastian Vettel is the youngest ever Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 2010 when he was just 23 years and 134 days old. Vettel achieved this feat with the Red Bull Racing team, and he went on to win the championship three more times in 2011, 2012 and 2013 before leaving the team in 2014.
2. Fernando Alonso (24 years, 59 days)
Fernando Alonso is the second youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the championship in 2005 at the age of 24 years and 59 days old. Alonso achieved this feat with the Renault team and he went on to win the championship again in 2006.
3. Lewis Hamilton (25 years, 125 days)
Lewis Hamilton is the third youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 2008 at the age of 25 years and 125 days old. Hamilton achieved this feat with the McLaren team, and he went on to win the championship again in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
4. Kimi Raikkonen (26 years, 8 days)
Kimi Raikkonen is the fourth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 2007 at the age of 26 years and 8 days old. Raikkonen achieved this feat with the Ferrari team, and he went on to win the championship again in 2009.
5. Jenson Button (26 years, 106 days)
Jenson Button is the fifth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 2009 at the age of 26 years and 106 days old. Button achieved this feat with the Brawn GP team, and he went on to win the championship again in 2011 with the McLaren team.
6. Michael Schumacher (27 years, 9 days)
Michael Schumacher is the sixth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 1994 at the age of 27 years and 9 days old. Schumacher achieved this feat with the Benetton team, and he went on to win the championship a record seven times with the Ferrari team.
7. Jack Brabham (28 years, 41 days)
Jack Brabham is the seventh youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 1959 at the age of 28 years and 41 days old. Brabham achieved this feat with the Cooper team, and he went on to win the championship again in 1960 and 1966.
8. Emerson Fittipaldi (28 years, 56 days)
Emerson Fittipaldi is the eighth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 1972 at the age of 28 years and 56 days old. Fittipaldi achieved this feat with the Lotus team, and he went on to win the championship again in 1974.
9. Niki Lauda (28 years, 59 days)
Niki Lauda is the ninth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 1975 at the age of 28 years and 59 days old. Lauda achieved this feat with the Ferrari team, and he went on to win the championship again in 1977 and 1984.
10. Alberto Ascari (29 years, 70 days)
Alberto Ascari is the tenth youngest Formula 1 champion, having won the title in 1952 at the age of 29 years and 70 days old. Ascari achieved this feat with the Ferrari team, and he went on to win the championship again in 1953.
These ten drivers prove that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. They have achieved incredible success at a very young age, and they serve as an inspiration to all aspiring Formula 1 drivers.
