(Motorsport-Total.com) – There is a full 26 years between the youngest and oldest Formula 1 driver in the 2026 season. While two-time world champion Fernando Alonso already celebrated his 45th birthday in July, rookie Arvid Lindblad just turned 19 shortly after in August.
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When Lindblad was born in 2007, Alonso had already achieved his (so far) greatest successes in Formula 1, as the then Renault driver won his two world championship titles in the top class in 2005 and 2006.
But who actually became Formula 1 world champion in Alonso’s own birth year 1981? Our photo series answers exactly this question, providing an overview of all champions from the birth years of the current 22 Formula 1 drivers.
Some champions – like Alonso himself – appear multiple times in our list. At the same time, the Spaniard is also the only world champion in our photo series who is still racing in Formula 1 today.
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The world champions from the birth years of the current Formula 1 drivers
Lewis Hamilton, currently the second oldest driver in the field at 41 after Alonso, won his first world title “only” in 2008 – and thus after Lindblad’s birth. For the record world champion to make it into our list, an even younger driver would have to enter Formula 1.
Our photo series also provides a good overview of the current age structure in the top class. And although many young drivers have entered Formula 1 in recent years, it is surprisingly balanced.
Eight of the current 22 drivers were born in the 2000s, ten in the 1990s, and at least four still in the 1980s. Of course, not all seasons are covered, and for example, there is no current Formula 1 driver born in the year 2000, when Michael Schumacher won his first world title with Ferrari.
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