Juan Fangio - the daddy of all Formula One drivers

Statistically, German Michael Schumacher is the greatest F1 driver, with seven world championships, including most constructers (car makers) titles, race victories, pole positions, points scored and biggest title winning margins.  He has won the most races in a single season – and remains the only F1 driver to have a full season of podium finishes in 2002. 

While motor purists would argue that the German’s competition was not fierce – it was his turning around of Ferrari in the late nineties that created the legend. The traditional heavy V12 engine of the Ferrari struggled against the smaller more efficient V10s of other cars, and the performance of the pit crews were inferior to the then big teams of Benetton (with whom he won titles in 1994 and 1995) and Williams. 

He proclaimed that the new model Ferrari 412T would win championships – and in 1999 Ferrari won the constructers title before Michael began his remarkable run of five consecutive world titles.

If the German iceman had one weakness, it was his attitude at times – and his desire to push the code of racing to the limits; numerous drivers weren't happy about with his driving style, which would often run illegal lines to dominate on the track.