Charles Leclerc moves ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in Ferrari history after Chinese Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc climbs Ferrari history rankings after Chinese Grand Prix milestone

Charles Leclerc added another important milestone to his Formula 1 career during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, moving ahead of Kimi Raikkonen on Ferrari’s all-time list for race appearances with the legendary Italian team.

Following the race in Shanghai, the Monegasque driver reached 152 starts with Ferrari, surpassing Raikkonen’s total of 151 and securing second place on the Scuderia’s historical list. Only one driver remains ahead of him in this particular ranking: the iconic Michael Schumacher, whose era-defining spell with Ferrari remains the benchmark in many statistical categories.

Charles Leclerc’s achievement reflects not only his longevity with the team but also his importance within Ferrari’s modern Formula 1 project. Since joining the Scuderia in 2019, he has become one of the central figures of the team’s efforts to return to championship-winning form.

Leclerc among Ferrari’s longest-serving drivers

Beyond the number of race starts, Leclerc has also now completed his eighth season as a Ferrari driver, placing him among the longest-serving drivers in the history of the team.

Ferrari has been home to many legendary Formula 1 figures across decades of competition, but only a small group of drivers have spent a significant portion of their careers wearing the famous red overalls.

Leading that list is seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who drove for Ferrari for an extraordinary 11 seasons between 1996 and 2006, during which he delivered one of the most dominant periods in Formula 1 history.

The drivers who spent the most seasons with Ferrari

Several well-known Formula 1 names appear among Ferrari’s longest-serving drivers, highlighting the deep historical connection between the team and some of the sport’s greatest competitors.

1. Michael Schumacher – 11 seasons (1996–2006)
2. Felipe Massa – 8 seasons (2006–2013)
3. Kimi Raikkonen – 8 seasons (2007–2009, 2014–2018)
4. Charles Leclerc – 8 seasons (2019–2026, ongoing)
5. Wolfgang von Trips – 6 seasons (1956–1961)
6. Lorenzo Bandini – 6 seasons (1962–1967)
7. Clay Regazzoni – 6 seasons (1970–1972, 1974–1976)
8. Gilles Villeneuve – 6 seasons (1977–1982)
9. Gerhard Berger – 6 seasons (1987–1989, 1993–1995)
10. Rubens Barrichello – 6 seasons (2000–2005)
11. Sebastian Vettel – 6 seasons (2015–2020)
12. Alberto Ascari – 5 seasons (1950–1954)
13. Mike Hawthorn – 5 seasons (1953–1955, 1957–1958)
14. Phil Hill – 5 seasons (1958–1962)
15. Jacky Ickx – 5 seasons (1968, 1970–1973)
16. Michele Alboreto – 5 seasons (1984–1988)
17. Jean Alesi – 5 seasons (1991–1995)
18. Fernando Alonso – 5 seasons (2010–2014)
19. Giuseppe Farina – 4 seasons (1952–1955)
20. John Surtees – 4 seasons (1963–1966)
21. Niki Lauda – 4 seasons (1974–1977)
22. Eddie Irvine – 4 seasons (1996–1999)
23. Carlos Sainz Jr. – 4 seasons (2021–2024)
24. Peter Collins – 3 seasons (1956–1958)
25. Mario Andretti – 3 seasons (1971–1972, 1982)
26. Carlos Reutemann – 3 seasons (1976–1978)
27. René Arnoux – 3 seasons (1983–1985)
28. Jody Scheckter – 2 seasons (1979–1980)
29. Didier Pironi – 2 seasons (1981–1982)
30. Patrick Tambay – 2 seasons (1982–1983)
31. Nigel Mansell – 2 seasons (1989–1990)
32. Alain Prost – 2 seasons (1990–1991)
33. Lewis Hamilton – 2 seasons (2025–2026, ongoing)
34. Juan Manuel Fangio – 1 season (1956)
35. Tony Brooks – 1 season (1959)

A growing legacy for Leclerc at Ferrari

Charles Leclerc’s continued presence in Ferrari’s lineup has allowed him to steadily climb many of the team’s historical rankings. With the 2026 season still underway, the Monegasque driver has the opportunity to further strengthen his place in Ferrari’s record books.

His partnership with Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, has also created one of the most closely watched driver line-ups in modern Formula 1. Together, the two drivers represent a blend of experience and long-term commitment that Ferrari hopes will eventually translate into championship success.

While Schumacher’s long-standing records remain some distance away, Charles Leclerc’s latest milestone once again highlights his enduring role in Ferrari’s modern history and his growing legacy within one of the most iconic teams in motorsport.