Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel’s four consecutive world titles by age 26 make him the youngest quadruple champion in F1 history, a record that stands unmatched—but his Ferrari years from 2015 to 2020 left his legacy contested, as he won just 14 races there compared to 38 at Red Bull. Vettel is 30% less consistent in inferior cars than #9 Fernando Alonso, who collected 15 podiums in slower machinery during the same period. Still, Vettel’s 2013 nine-race winning streak—a feat no other driver has matched—showcases dominance against strong rivals like Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton. His 53 career victories, ranking third all time by 2023, underline pedigree, but his average points per race (12.4) falls short of Alonso’s 13.1, exposing gaps when pressure mounts. Vettel’s technical feedback shaped Red Bull’s rise, yet his inability to elevate midfield cars keeps him below the elite tier in this list.