Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, where speed is everything. Over the years, cars have reached incredible velocities, especially on circuits like Monza and Mexico City, known for their long straights. Here is a ranking of the 15 highest speeds ever recorded in F1 history, converted to mph, starting with number 15 and working up to the fastest of all time.
15. David Coulthard – 227.2 mph (Monza, 2003, McLaren-Mercedes)
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David Coulthard set an astonishing speed of 227.2 mph (365.6 km/h) during the Italian Grand Prix in 2003 while driving for McLaren-Mercedes. Monza, known as the “Temple of Speed,” allowed Coulthard to push his car to the absolute limit, taking advantage of the long straights and low-downforce setup.
14. Ralf Schumacher – 227.4 mph (Monza, 2004, Williams-BMW)
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One year later, Ralf Schumacher slightly improved on Coulthard’s record, reaching 227.4 mph (365.9 km/h) in his Williams-BMW. The German driver benefitted from the powerful BMW V10 engine and the aerodynamics optimized for Monza’s high-speed demands.
In the same year, Jenson Button clocked 227.6 mph (366.1 km/h) in his BAR-Honda, showcasing the raw power of the Honda engine. Button’s speed was a testament to how well the car performed on Monza’s long straights, despite BAR not being among the top teams at the time.
12. Daniel Ricciardo – 227.7 mph (Mexico City, 2016, Red Bull-Renault)
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Daniel Ricciardo reached 227.7 mph (366.4 km/h) at the Mexican Grand Prix in 2016 while driving for Red Bull. Mexico City’s high-altitude track allowed for lower air resistance, enabling Ricciardo to achieve one of the highest speeds ever recorded in modern F1 history.
11. Lewis Hamilton – 227.9 mph (Monza, 2016, Mercedes-AMG)
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Lewis Hamilton hit 227.9 mph (366.7 km/h) at Monza in 2016, driving for Mercedes-AMG. The Mercedes engine was the class leader that season, and Monza’s long straights allowed Hamilton to maximize the car’s speed potential.
Hamilton’s teammate, Nico Rosberg, went slightly faster in the same race, reaching 228.5 mph (367.6 km/h) at Monza in 2016. Rosberg, who went on to win the World Championship that year, took full advantage of Mercedes’ superior straight-line speed and Monza’s low-drag layout.
9. Fernando Alonso – 228.7 mph (Monza, 2016, McLaren-Honda)
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Fernando Alonso pushed his McLaren-Honda to an impressive 228.7 mph (367.9 km/h) at Monza in 2016. Despite Honda struggling with reliability that season, the power unit proved capable of achieving remarkable top speeds.
8. Felipe Massa – 228.8 mph (Monza, 2015, Williams-Mercedes)
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Felipe Massa hit 228.8 mph (368.0 km/h) in his Williams-Mercedes at Monza in 2015. Williams benefited from Mercedes’ dominant engine package, and the low-downforce setup allowed Massa to reach this incredible speed.
7. Sebastian Vettel – 229.2 mph (Monza, 2009, Red Bull-Renault)
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Sebastian Vettel reached 229.2 mph (368.8 km/h) in his Red Bull-Renault at Monza in 2009. Though Red Bull was not yet a dominant force, the car’s aerodynamics and Renault’s powerful V8 engine contributed to this impressive top speed.
6. Mark Webber – 229.7 mph (Monza, 2005, Williams-BMW)
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Mark Webber hit 229.7 mph (369.6 km/h) at Monza in 2005, driving a Williams-BMW. The BMW-powered car had one of the most potent engines in F1 at the time, and Monza’s layout allowed Webber to fully exploit its performance.
5. Antonio Pizzonia – 229.9 mph (Monza, 2004, Williams-BMW)
Antonio Pizzonia, filling in for Ralf Schumacher, recorded a top speed of 229.9 mph (369.9 km/h) in a Williams-BMW during the 2004 Italian Grand Prix. The car’s powerful V10 engine made it one of the fastest machines on the grid.
4. Kimi Räikkönen – 230.0 mph (Monza, 2005, McLaren-Mercedes)
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Kimi Räikkönen reached 230.0 mph (370.1 km/h) at Monza in 2005, driving for McLaren-Mercedes. Known for his fearless driving style, Räikkönen pushed his car to the absolute limit on Monza’s long straights.
3. Valtteri Bottas – 231.5 mph (Mexico City, 2016, Williams-Mercedes)
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Valtteri Bottas recorded 231.5 mph (372.5 km/h) at the Mexican Grand Prix in 2016 while driving for Williams-Mercedes. The high-altitude track, combined with Williams’ efficient aerodynamics, allowed Bottas to reach this breathtaking speed.
2. Juan Pablo Montoya – 231.6 mph (Monza, 2005, McLaren-Mercedes)
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Juan Pablo Montoya held the official record for the fastest top speed in an F1 race, reaching 231.6 mph (372.6 km/h) at Monza in 2005. His McLaren-Mercedes was one of the fastest cars of the era, and Montoya’s aggressive driving style helped him maximize straight-line speed.
The highest speed ever recorded in Formula 1 was set by Valtteri Bottas at 234.9 mph (378.0 km/h) during a practice session for the European Grand Prix in Baku, 2016. The long straight and slipstreaming effect helped Bottas achieve this incredible speed, cementing his place at the top of F1’s speed records.
