Who is the greatest race car driver of all time?

There is no single, universally accepted “greatest” race car driver; in Formula 1, many analysts point to Lewis Hamilton as the statistical benchmark, while historians often elevate Juan Manuel Fangio for era-dominance, and Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher remain perennial choices. Across other disciplines, Sébastien Loeb (rally) and Tom Kristensen (endurance) are widely regarded as the best in their fields, while A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti are celebrated for unmatched versatility. Which name you choose depends on the discipline, era, and criteria you value most.

Why the debate never truly ends

Comparing drivers across eras and disciplines is inherently fraught: rules change, safety evolves, cars and tires transform, and competitive depth varies. A Grand Prix legend and a rally icon face fundamentally different challenges, while an endurance master is judged by teamwork and consistency more than outright sprint speed. The GOAT conversation, then, is as much about values—versatility, dominance, longevity, peak skill—as it is about statistics.

How experts judge “greatness”

When historians, engineers, and fellow drivers weigh in, they tend to look beyond raw title counts. The following criteria commonly shape their assessments and explain why different names rise to the top depending on perspective.

• Dominance vs. era competitiveness: How far ahead of their peers a driver was at the time.
• Win and podium rates: Efficiency and conversion, not just totals.
• Peak vs. longevity: Unbeatable “prime” years versus sustained excellence.
• Versatility: Success across open-wheel, stock cars, rally, and endurance.
• Adaptability: Performance across regulation changes, tire eras, and team contexts.
• Team influence: Development feedback, leadership, and lifting a program.
• Racecraft and technical skill: Qualifying pace, wet-weather mastery, tire and fuel management.
• Competition strength: Quality and depth of rivals, and grid parity.
• Legacy and impact: How they changed the sport or inspired future generations.

These touchstones help explain why some pick Fangio for his astonishing win rate, others favor Hamilton for his record-breaking totals, and many hold Senna as the pinnacle of pure driving brilliance.

The leading all-discipline contenders

Across all of motorsport, a handful of names recur whenever the GOAT question is asked. Each has a distinct claim rooted in dominance, adaptability, or defining a discipline.

• Lewis Hamilton (F1): Holds the all-time Formula 1 records for wins, pole positions, and podiums, with seven world championships. He extended his wins record with victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix, underscoring longevity and adaptability across hybrid eras.
• Juan Manuel Fangio (F1): Five titles in the 1950s and the highest F1 win percentage in history, achieved with multiple teams in a perilous era. A gold standard for era-adjusted dominance.
• Ayrton Senna (F1): Three titles and a towering legacy built on qualifying genius and wet-weather mastery; a benchmark for peak skill and intensity.
• Michael Schumacher (F1): Seven titles and the architect of Ferrari’s 2000–2004 dominance; transformed teams with relentless development, fitness, and racecraft.
• Jim Clark (F1/Indy/versatility): Two F1 titles, 1965 Indy 500 winner, and an elite win rate; a purists’ choice for effortless speed across disciplines.
• Mario Andretti (F1/Indy/NASCAR/sports cars): F1 world champion, Indy 500 winner, Daytona 500 winner; the modern template for versatility at the highest level.
• A.J. Foyt (Indy/stock/sports cars): Four-time Indy 500 winner who also triumphed in NASCAR and at Le Mans; a uniquely American symbol of all-surface, all-car mastery.
• Sébastien Loeb (WRC): Nine World Rally Championships and an unparalleled win tally in rallying; showed range with Pikes Peak, WTCC, Dakar, and Rallycross success.
• Tom Kristensen (Endurance): Record nine wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; the benchmark for endurance racecraft and consistency.
• Richard Petty / Dale Earnhardt / Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR): The Cup Series yardsticks with seven titles each; Petty’s 200 wins, Earnhardt’s era-defining aggression, and Johnson’s five straight titles highlight different routes to stock-car greatness.

In cross-discipline GOAT debates, Hamilton, Fangio, Senna, and Schumacher dominate the F1-centered argument; Loeb and Kristensen are the clearest “greatest in class” picks; and Andretti and Foyt are the archetypes of versatility.

By discipline: who stands tallest

Formula 1

F1’s GOAT conversation is the most data-rich and the most hotly debated, balancing totals, percentages, and the shifting competitive landscape from the 1950s to the present hybrid era.

• Lewis Hamilton: Record wins, poles, and podiums; seven titles; excellence across regulation changes and tire eras.
• Michael Schumacher: Seven titles; redefined modern driver-team synergy at Ferrari.
• Juan Manuel Fangio: Peerless win rate and multi-team title success in the 1950s.
• Ayrton Senna: Peak pace and rain mastery; three titles and a profound legacy.
• Jim Clark: Elite efficiency and cross-discipline success; two titles.
• Alain Prost: Four titles; strategic, relentlessly consistent “Professor.”
• Max Verstappen: Four consecutive titles through 2024 and single‑season records; a modern force reshaping the record books.

If you value records and longevity, Hamilton leads; for era-dominance, Fangio and Schumacher resonate; for pure peak skill, Senna and Clark remain touchstones.

NASCAR Cup Series

Stock-car greatness weighs titles, wins, adaptability to evolving packages, and performance in the playoff era versus the long-season grind of earlier decades.

• Richard Petty: Seven titles and 200 wins; the foundational NASCAR icon.
• Dale Earnhardt: Seven titles and fearsome racecraft; the Intimidator of the modern era.
• Jimmie Johnson: Seven titles, including five in a row—a feat of sustained dominance in the parity-heavy playoff era.
• Jeff Gordon: Four titles and the driver who helped usher NASCAR into a new mainstream era with elite speed and consistency.

The typical NASCAR GOAT shortlist centers on Petty, Earnhardt, and Johnson, with Gordon often cited for peak speed and era impact.

IndyCar/USAC (American open-wheel)

American open-wheel racing blends oval craft, street/road versatility, and the unique demands of the Indianapolis 500.

• A.J. Foyt: Four Indy 500 wins and success across USAC, stock cars, and sports cars; synonymous with American versatility.
• Scott Dixon: Six titles and enduring speed across multiple eras; the modern consistency benchmark.
• Rick Mears: Four Indy 500 wins and oval mastery.
• Mario Andretti: Championships across decades and the 1969 Indy 500; breadth matched by few.

Foyt’s broad reach and Indy 500 record keep him atop many lists, with Dixon the modern standard-bearer for longevity and complete skill sets.

World Rally (WRC)

Rally drivers face ice, gravel, tarmac, and extreme conditions, demanding co-driver synergy and pace-note precision as much as raw speed.

• Sébastien Loeb: Nine titles and a towering win tally; the sport’s most complete package for a decade.
• Sébastien Ogier: Eight titles and elite adaptability across rule changes and teams.
• Kalle Rovanperä: Young phenomenon with titles early in his career; a potential future GOAT candidate.
• Colin McRae: 1995 champion and enduring cultural icon of fearless commitment.

Loeb is the closest thing rally has to an uncontested GOAT, with Ogier as the most credible challenger by numbers and versatility.

Endurance (Le Mans and beyond)

Endurance racing rewards speed tempered by mechanical sympathy, traffic management, and teamwork—qualities that differ from sprint-series demands.

• Tom Kristensen: Record nine Le Mans wins; the definitive endurance benchmark.
• Jacky Ickx: Six Le Mans wins plus Formula 1 success; a paragon of adaptability.
• Derek Bell: Five Le Mans wins and a prototype-racing mainstay of consistency.

Kristensen’s record and racecraft give endurance racing its clearest GOAT case, with Ickx the all-rounder whose legacy crosses disciplines.

The bottom line

If pressed to name a single greatest race car driver across all of motorsport, many modern analysts would select Lewis Hamilton for his record-setting Formula 1 resume and longevity at the front. Equally defensible answers hinge on criteria: Juan Manuel Fangio for era-adjusted dominance, Ayrton Senna for peak brilliance, Michael Schumacher for team-transforming supremacy, Sébastien Loeb as rally’s consensus GOAT, Tom Kristensen as endurance’s standard, and Mario Andretti or A.J. Foyt for unmatched versatility. The “right” answer depends on what you value most in a driver.

Summary

There isn’t a single, uncontested greatest race car driver of all time. In Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton’s records make the strongest statistical case, balanced by Fangio’s era-dominance and the enduring arguments for Senna and Schumacher. Sébastien Loeb (WRC) and Tom Kristensen (Le Mans) are widely accepted as GOATs of their disciplines, while Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt headline the all-rounders. The GOAT label ultimately reflects the criteria—dominance, versatility, longevity, or pure peak performance—that you choose to prioritize.

Who is considered the greatest NASCAR driver of all time?

There isn’t a single universally agreed-upon “greatest” NASCAR driver, but Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson are the most frequently cited contenders due to their record-tying seven championships. Petty holds the all-time record for wins with 200, while Johnson is known for an unmatched streak of five consecutive championships against elite competition. Other legends often mentioned include Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and David Pearson. 
Richard Petty (The King)

• Championships: 7 NASCAR Cup Series championships 
• Wins: 200 career Cup Series wins, the most all-time 
• Legacy: Known as “The King,” he holds the record for most consecutive wins (10) and Daytona 500 victories (7). 

Jimmie Johnson

• Championships: 7 NASCAR Cup Series championships, including a record-setting five consecutive from 2006 to 2010 
• Dominance: His success came during a period with a changing playoff system, highlighting his adaptability. 
• Peer Recognition: Was voted the greatest driver by his peers, a significant honor. 

Other Notable Drivers in the Discussion

• Dale Earnhardt Sr.: Often mentioned alongside Petty and Johnson for his impressive record and nickname, “The Intimidator”. 
• Jeff Gordon: A prominent figure with numerous wins and multiple championships during the “Chase” era. 
• David Pearson: Ranks second in all-time wins with 105. 

Is Ken Miles the greatest driver of all time?

No, Ken Miles is not definitively the “best driver ever,” but he is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential drivers of his era, known for his exceptional skill, engineering prowess, and fierce determination. While he achieved numerous victories and contributed significantly to Ford’s success in sports car racing, his career was tragically cut short, and “best ever” is a subjective distinction that is difficult to assign in motorsports.
 
Arguments for Ken Miles being one of the greats

• Dominant Driver & Engineer: Miles was a gifted driver and an innovative engineer who co-developed the iconic Ford GT40. 
• Record of Success: He secured significant wins, including the 1961 USAC Road Racing Championship and multiple victories at Sebring and Daytona. 
• Key Role at Le Mans: He was pivotal in Ford’s rivalry with Ferrari, culminating in the controversial 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, a pivotal moment for American racing. 
• Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction: He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, recognizing his profound impact on the sport. 
• Influence and Legacy: His achievements and unique blend of driving talent and mechanical genius left a lasting legacy, particularly with the legendary GT40. 

You can watch this video to learn more about Ken Miles’ career and impact: 59sChrispy DriverYouTube · Jan 31, 2025
Why he might not be considered the absolute best

• Subjectivity of “Best”: The title of “best driver ever” is subjective and depends on various criteria and personal opinions. 
• Shortened Career: His life and career were cut short at age 48, potentially preventing him from achieving even more. 
• Controversy at Le Mans: The disputed 1966 Le Mans finish, where he was denied a perceived victory, adds a layer of controversy to his career, though many view it as a win. 

What is the name of the racer you should never forget?

There is no single, universally accepted answer to the question “what is the name of the racer you should never forget,” as it is subjective and depends on the context of racing. However, many legendary racers are “never forgotten” due to their impact and achievements, such as Ayrton Senna, known for his skill and tragic death, and Dale Earnhardt, a beloved NASCAR star. Other prominent figures include F1 champion Michael Schumacher, American legend Richard Petty, and race car driver Ken Miles, featured in the movie Ford v Ferrari. 
Here are some racers who are often considered “never forgotten”:

• Ayrton Senna: Opens in new tabA legendary Formula 1 driver who died in 1994, Senna is remembered for his incredible skill, charisma, and impact on the sport. 
• Dale Earnhardt: Opens in new tabA beloved and dominant NASCAR driver who died in a crash in 2001, earning him the nickname “The Intimidator”. 
• Michael Schumacher: Opens in new tabThe only driver to win seven Formula One World Championships, he redefined the sport and remains one of its greatest legends. 
• Ken Miles: Opens in new tabA pivotal driver in Ford’s 1960s racing program, particularly at Le Mans. His story is a major focus of the movie Ford v Ferrari and he is remembered for his precision and passion. 
• Richard Petty: Opens in new tabAn iconic NASCAR driver known as “The King,” he is the all-time leader in wins at the top level of NASCAR and a symbol of the sport’s enduring appeal. 
• Carroll Shelby: Opens in new tabA world-class driver who later designed and built legendary performance cars, he is a significant figure in motorsport history. 
• A.J. Foyt: Opens in new tabA versatile American racer known for his success in IndyCar, including being the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. 

Who is the king of car racing?

Richard Petty
Richard Petty, known as “The King” of NASCAR, is a legendary figure in American motorsports with a record-setting career that includes 200 NASCAR Cup Series wins and seven championships.