Formula 1 drivers are famously very hard to compare across eras, with drivers of even just ten years ago having completely different machines underneath them when compared to today’s stars.
Comparing the current drivers even seems impossible due to the performance difference between the current teams.
For example it is impossible to know whether Max Verstappen would still come out on top if all the drivers had the same car.
However, that has all changed with modern technology as F1 has teamed up with AWS to use real data to answer the impossible question.
“AWS machine learning software has reviewed time sheets for every qualifying session since 1983, removing outliers and normalizing the data to create a complex web of driver performance relative to their teammates,” via Formula1.com
Being fast in Formula 1 doesn’t necessarily mean you are the best as drivers only ever push the car to the limit during qualifying, while the race is a more tactical battle of strategy and tire degradation.
An example of this in the modern day is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Despite only winning six times in his six year F1 career to date, Leclerc is arguably the fastest driver on the grid with 24 pole positions.
The Ferrari driver has managed to put his car on top countless times over the last few seasons, but with strategy and race pace issues he has often been unable to convert pole to victory.
While it might not be the key difference on race day, in such an egotistical sport, every driver wants to be fastest.
Here is the top 20 fastest drivers of all time according to data in 2020
