Which F1 driver has the most podium finishes? Hamilton, Schumacher and more

Over 200 different drivers have taken podium finishes since the beginning of the F1 championship in 1950. Although many will be hoping to take the race win, a podium place can still be important for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. 

F1 drivers with the most podiums

1. Lewis Hamilton – 201 podiums

First podium: 2007 Australian GP (3rd)
Last podium: 2024 Belgian GP (1st)
Total wins: 105
Total championships: 7 (2008, 2014-2015, 2017-2020)

Lewis Hamilton has broken a number of records over recent races, including taking his 200th podium at the 2024 Hungarian GP. The Briton has held the record for the most podiums since the 2020 Spanish GP and has continued to grow his lead over the last four years.

Hamilton took his first podium at his debut race – the 2007 Australian GP – with McLaren. The then-22-year-old pulled off an impressive overtake during the first corner of the race, moving him ahead of his team-mate Fernando Alonso, who had taken the last two drivers’ championships. He then briefly led the race between laps 19-22 when the race leaders pitted before him, but he lost first and second place to Kimi Raikkonen and Alonso.

Hamilton’s 100th podium came with his victory at the 2016 Japanese GP. Starting in second behind his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, he quickly slipped down the grid to eighth after having to start on the wetter side of the track following some overnight rain. He made his way through the grid during the race, briefly fighting with Max Verstappen on lap 52 for second, but was unable to pass the young Red Bull driver.

The seven-time world champion’s 200th podium came at the 2024 Hungarian GP when he finished in third behind McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Hamilton successfully fought off Verstappen after the pair came together on lap 63, with stewards concluding that the Mercedes driver could have “done more” to avoid the collision. His third-place finish came just two weeks after his first win in three years at the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton took his latest podium at the 2024 Belgian GP, taking his 105th win in the process. He started on the grid in third after Verstappen took a 10-place grid penalty from first, then briefly led the race before the lead was taken by Russell on a one-stop strategy when the seven-time world champion came into the pits for fresh hard compound tyres. Despite a tight battle…