Lewis Hamilton is set to reach 400 Formula 1 Grand Prix starts at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming only the second driver in the sport’s history to achieve the milestone. The seven-time world champion will join Fernando Alonso in an exclusive club, but how do the two compare with the other drivers who have competed in the most F1 races?
Throughout Formula 1 history, 783 drivers have competed in the World Championship. That number is set to rise to 784 with Rafael Câmara’s appearance in Brazil in place of Esteban Ocon. While some drivers have made only a handful of appearances, others have spent decades competing at the highest level of motorsport. Here are the ten drivers with the most Grand Prix appearances.
Most F1 Grand Prix appearances: 10th to fifth place
The battle between tenth and ninth place is particularly interesting. Nico Hülkenberg currently occupies tenth position with 268 Grands Prix, just one behind former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who is ninth with 269. If Nico Hülkenberg competes in Brazil, he will draw level with Felipe Massa before potentially moving ahead at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel occupies eighth place with 299 races. During his lengthy career, the German competed for Sauber, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin. Although Sebastian Vettel won all four of his world titles with Red Bull, he will also be remembered for his years at Ferrari and his famous words: “Everyone is a Ferrari fan. Even if they say they’re not, they are Ferrari fans.”
Seventh place belongs to Sergio Pérez, with 300 Grands Prix. The Mexican, a former team-mate of Max Verstappen, has competed in Formula 1 since 2011.
Jenson Button takes sixth place with 306 races across 18 Formula 1 seasons. His longevity earns him a place among the drivers with the most appearances in the championship’s history.
Michael Schumacher completes the top five with 307 races. The seven-time world champion still holds several major Formula 1 records, including the most fastest race laps, with 77, and the most hat-tricks, with 22. A hat-trick consists of taking pole position, winning the race and setting the fastest lap at the same Grand Prix. His achievements can also be explored through the Ferrari F1 driver records and statistics database.
Rubens Barrichello fourth with 326 Formula 1 races
Rubens Barrichello sits fourth in the ranking with 326 appearances. Nicknamed Rubinho, the Brazilian enjoyed one of the longest careers in Formula 1 history, competing across 19 seasons.
His first victory came after 123 races, during his debut season with Ferrari. He finished runner-up in the World Drivers’ Championship twice, although he never managed to win the title.
Together with Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello helped Ferrari enjoy one of the most successful periods in its history, collecting race victories, Drivers’ Championships and Constructors’ Championships during the team’s golden era.
Kimi Räikkönen third with 353 Grand Prix appearances
Kimi Räikkönen occupies third place with 353 Formula 1 races. The Finnish driver remains Ferrari’s most recent Drivers’ World Champion, having secured the title in 2007.
Famous for his remarkably calm approach to racing, regardless of the circuit or circumstances, Kimi Räikkönen earned the nickname “Iceman”. His composed behaviour behind the wheel contrasted with his much more uninhibited personality away from the track, where his numerous colourful adventures became part of Formula 1 folklore.
Interestingly, despite a widespread belief to the contrary, 2026 Formula 1 world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli was not given his middle name in honour of Kimi Räikkönen. Instead, the name was chosen because it sounded good alongside Andrea.
Lewis Hamilton second as he prepares for his 400th F1 Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton occupies second place with 399 Grand Prix appearances and is set to reach the remarkable milestone of 400 when he takes the start at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday. The Ferrari driver will become only the second competitor in Formula 1 history to reach that figure, behind Fernando Alonso.
With seven Drivers’ World Championships, Lewis Hamilton has broken an extraordinary number of Formula 1 records. He holds the all-time benchmarks for victories, with 106, podium finishes, with 209, and pole positions, with 105.
The British driver is also the only competitor in Formula 1 history to have won a World Championship in three different decades: the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
Another remarkable achievement is his record of securing at least one race victory and one pole position in 15 consecutive seasons, a streak that lasted until 2021. No other Formula 1 driver has maintained that combination for so many consecutive years.
His approaching milestone at Interlagos adds another chapter to an already historic career. The Ferrari driver’s achievement is also explored in greater detail in the analysis of Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable 400-race milestone.
Fernando Alonso leads the all-time F1 appearances ranking
First place belongs to the seemingly eternal rookie, Fernando Alonso. The description has become one of Formula 1’s best-known memes, a playful reference to the Spaniard’s extraordinary longevity.
Fernando Alonso leads the ranking with 444 race starts from 447 Grand Prix entries and shows no apparent intention of retiring from Formula 1.
The Spanish driver has won two World Championships, in 2005 and 2006, both with Renault. His career has lasted so long that Andrea Kimi Antonelli had only just been born when Fernando Alonso secured his second title. Today, the two compete against each other in Formula 1.
Fernando Alonso announced his retirement from Formula 1 in 2018, only to return to the championship in 2021. Since then, he has continued adding to his remarkable career tally.
This weekend, Fernando Alonso returns to the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, a circuit with particular emotional significance for him. It was at Interlagos that he secured both of his World Championships, despite never actually winning the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Perhaps this will finally be the year he changes that statistic.
For Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, Sunday’s race represents another historic milestone. With 400 Grand Prix starts within reach, the seven-time champion continues to cement his place among Formula 1’s longest-serving drivers. Fans can follow the weekend’s remaining action through the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix schedule.
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