Red Bull’s dominance and the modern points system have made it easier than ever for drivers to climb the all-time F1 points leaderboard — but reaching the top still takes exceptional talent and consistency. Several of today’s stars have already secured their places among the sport’s greatest points scorers, with some legendary names still holding firm in the top 10.
We’ve taken a closer look at the numbers and ranked the top 10 highest-scoring Formula 1 drivers of all time — from Charles Leclerc to Lewis Hamilton.
10. Charles Leclerc – 1,450 points
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Leclerc broke into the all-time top 10 following his strong form with Ferrari in 2024. Since debuting with Sauber in 2018, the Monegasque has been a consistent front-runner and regular podium finisher.
A seven-time World Champion and F1 legend, Schumacher’s tally is limited by the old points system used for most of his career. Even so, he remains inside the top 10, with his real impact far exceeding what the numbers show.
Rosberg raced under the new system for much of his career and maximized his time at Mercedes, winning the title in 2016. His early retirement meant he left a lot of points on the table, but still finished ahead of his legendary teammate Schumacher.
7. Sergio Pérez – 1,638 points
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Since debuting in 2011, Pérez has quietly climbed the rankings thanks to his longevity and consistency. His spell at Red Bull pushed him past Schumacher on the list, and he’s still not done adding to his total.
6. Valtteri Bottas – 1,797 points
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Bottas played the supporting role to Lewis Hamilton during Mercedes’ dominant years, consistently scoring big points. While his move to Alfa Romeo slowed his tally, he remains one of the top scorers in F1 history.
5. Kimi Räikkönen – 1,873 points
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The Iceman’s career spanned two eras of scoring, with strong stints at McLaren, Ferrari, and Lotus. A World Champion in 2007, Räikkönen stayed competitive deep into his 40s and retired with nearly 1,900 points.
Alonso has competed across three decades and remains active, still scoring points with Aston Martin. The two-time World Champion has shown remarkable endurance and competitiveness throughout his long career.
3. Max Verstappen – 3,084.5 points
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Verstappen has raced exclusively under the modern points system and capitalized on Red Bull’s recent dominance. The three-time World Champion is rising fast and could eventually challenge the all-time leader.
2. Sebastian Vettel – 3,098 points
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Vettel dominated the early 2010s with four straight titles and stayed a regular contender through his time with Ferrari and Aston Martin. Though now retired, he sits just ahead of Verstappen on the all-time list – for now.
1. Lewis Hamilton – 4,871.5 points
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F1’s all-time points leader, Hamilton’s consistency, longevity, and success with both McLaren and Mercedes have made him untouchable at the top. With nearly 5,000 points, his record is a testament to an extraordinary career.