Max Verstappen Surpasses Ayrton Senna: Where He Stands Among Formula 1 Drivers With Most Laps Led

• The 2024 Formula season has continued to thrill fans with action-packed races across the globe
• Max Verstappen eclipsed yet another Formula 1 record with his superb race at the Suzuka Circuit
• Sports Brief looks at drivers with the most F1 laps led after the Dutch racer overtook Ayrton Senna

The 2024 Formula 1 season continued its spellbinding journey with the Japanese Grand Prix, delivering more wheel-to-wheel racing at the Suzuka Circuit.

The race was a captivating spectacle, brimming with on-track drama and strategic manoeuvering in the pits as teams grappled for the optimal race strategy.

Ultimately, it was Red Bull Racing who emerged victorious yet again, securing a commanding one-two finish and leaving Ferrari to claim third position.

Notably, this triumph propelled Max Verstappen into the record books, surpassing the legendary Ayrton Senna in the annals of Formula 1 history for the most laps led.

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In light yet another remarkable achievement by the world champion, Sports Brief presents a retrospective look at the drivers who have led the most laps in Formula 1.

Drivers with the most laps led in F1

Lewis Hamilton

The British driver might have experienced a torrid few years since the regulation changes with Mercedes, but Hamilton still holds the record for the highest number of laps led in Formula 1 history.

Since his debut with McLaren in 2007, the 39-year-old has led a combined total of 5,455 laps in F1, according to data courtesy of Racingnews365. Hamilton will be looking to add a few more laps to his impressive numbers as Mercedes aims to improve on their performance in Japan.

Michael Schumacher

The German driver is undoubtedly in every great record book of Formula 1. Since bursting onto the scene with Jordan Racing in 1991, the retired F1 driver has continued to rack up records.

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Schumacher sits behind Hamilton, having led a total of 5,111 laps during his active years in Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel

The former Red Bull driver is another who had a highly successful Formula 1 career. The German driver racked up four world drivers' championships during his active years.

From his debut in Australia in 2007 to his retirement in Abu Dhabi in 2022, Vettel led a total of 3,501 laps. The former BMW Sauber driver could be increasing this number soon, as he is linked with a return to Formula 1 from the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen

The man of the Moment, the honest property in the world of Motorsports drivers currently. The Dutch driver has continued to dominate Formula 1 since his first drivers’ championship in 2021.

Since his debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015, the Dutch driver has led a total of 3,009 laps in F1 history.

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Verstappen, in 2023, became the first driver to lead over 1,000 laps in a single season, and a repeat of such dominance in 2024 could see him jump past Vettel in the pecking order even before the season is over.

Past winners of the Japanese Grand Prix

In another report, Sports Brief highlighted the past winners of the Japanese Grand Prix, including Valtteri Bottas and Michael Schumacher.

Verstappen has been a dominant force in the race since the switch to the ground-effect era and Red Bull has made Sukuka their fortress.