Formula One's Biggest Rivalries

Rivalries On The Track!

Everyone loves a good rivalry. They make life more entertaining, and they certainly make sports more entertaining. Few sports do rivalry as well as F1—let’s dive into a some of the best of the best.

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Hunt Vs Lauda

You know a rivalry is good if Hollywood decides to make it into a film. Rush by Ron Howard may have exaggerated the interpersonal rivalry, but they couldn’t make up what happened on the track.

Niki Lauda, 1975 British Grand Prix Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hunt Vs Lauda

The year was 1976, and James Hunt was driving for McLaren. Niki Lauda was driving for Ferrari. On the track, the pair were pushing each other to the limits. Then, disaster struck.

Niki Lauda 1976 F1 Ferrari Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hunt Vs Lauda

Lauda crashed at the Nürburgring. He almost lost his life. Although he survived, he was left with permanent burns and damaged lungs. It looked like Hunt had a clear track to the top—but did he?

F1 driver J. Hunt In 1977 Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hunt Vs Lauda

Remarkably, Lauda came back from the crash and was driving again in only six weeks! Lauda and Hunt were neck and neck again. It came down to the last race, with Hunt making a miraculous movement to the top to win.

James Hunt With Hesketh Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hakkinen Vs Schumacher

The rivalry shared by Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen is a rare one among sports. It was purely on the track. Neither let it boil over into words. They respected each other too much and with good reason.

F1 driver Michael Schumacher Michael Cooper, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Hakkinen Vs Schumacher

In 1998, they came close to each other in terms of performance. However, Hakkinen pulled ahead in the final two races. They were looking at a similar battle the next year, except tragedy struck. Schumacher broke his leg at the British Grand Prix, pre-emptively ending the competition.

Mika Hakkinen at Champions for Charity Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hakkinen Vs Schumacher

The pair would have to wait until the next year before they could face off properly again. Schumacher started ahead. Then Hakkinen pulled ahead. Schumacher focused, pulled it together, and took his third title.

F1 driver Mika Häkkinen Rick Dikeman, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Rosberg

Sometimes a rivalry starts with friendships. That was the case for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who were friends in their junior karting days. Things would eventually sour.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Takayuki Suzuki, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Rosberg

In 2013, they were together driving for Mercedes. It seemed like a match made in heaven; however, by the next year, they were fighting each other for the title, and tensions rose.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Alberto-g-rovi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Rosberg

The tension that brewed from their rivalry began to turn ugly—on and off the track. It even resulting in the pair throwing the second-place cap back and forth following a race.

Nico Rosberg at Champions for Charity Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Rosberg

Rosberg eventually came ahead in 2016 and sealed the deal by announcing his retirement. However, those looking to keep the rivalry up can watch them fight over their Extreme E teams.

Nico Rosberg – 2014 British Grand Prix – Friday Free Practice Jake Archibald, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Prost Vs Mansell

Sometimes a rivalry is too much. Nigel Mansell’s rivalry with Alain Prost prompted him to give up racing altogether not once, but twice!

F1 driver Alain Prost in 2008 Mark McArdle, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Prost Vs Mansell

In 1989, Mansell was suffering from a case of “always the bridesmaid never the bride”. He hoped joining Ferrari would give him the push he needed to break out of a second-place slump. It was looking promising until Alain Prost joined the team.

Alain Prost in the McLaren Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Prost Vs Mansell

Prost quickly eclipsed Mansell on the track. It came to a head at the 1990 British Grand Prix. He was driving when his car felt funny—they had swapped his car with Prost’s before the race and never told him. That was it.

Nigel Mansell at the 1990 United States Grand Prix. Stuart Seeger, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Prost Vs Mansell

Mansell declared he was retiring after that season. An opening to switch teams allowed him to race one more year. However, when Prost followed him to Williams two years later, Mansell quit for good.

Nigel Mansell in his Lotus Martin Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Schumacher Vs Hill

In a sport like racing, there is always a winner and there is always a loser. Often, there is someone quite literally in your way between being the winner and the loser. For Damon Hill, it was Michael Schumacher in his way.

Michael Schumacher 2010 Malaysia Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Schumacher Vs Hill

Hill was still an inexperienced driver when he was thrust into the spotlight. The sudden and tragic passing of Ayrton Senna pushed Hill to the position of team leader. This put him on the path of Schumacher.

Michael Schumacher Hungaroring 2006 Rzober89, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Schumacher Vs Hill

Hill may have been inexperienced. However, he performed well as leader given his limitations. As Hill began the last race of the season, there was only one point between him and Schumacher.

F1 driver Damon Hill Supermac1961, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Schumacher Vs Hill

It looked like Hill was going to take the lead in Australia—until he collided with Schumacher. It knocked both out, losing Hill’s chance to push ahead. It wouldn’t be until 1996 that Hill would pull ahead.

F1 driver Damon Hill Martin Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Alonso

The theme with most of these rivalries is pride, and the fact that they can turn ugly. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s feud ticks both of those boxes with ease.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Morio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Alonso

In 2007, Alonso was the reigning world champion. He and Hamilton were also both fresh on the McLaren team. Alonso assumed he’d be the team lead. Hamilton kept pushing him. Things turned ugly.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Alberto-g-rovi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Alonso

The feud came to a head at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton had ignored team orders. So, Alonso blocked his teammate in the pits. Their feud was about to go nuclear.

F1 driver Fernando Alonso Ann64, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Alonso

Team boss Ron Dennis reamed Alonso out. Alonso threatened to send emails that incriminated McLaren in illegally obtaining information from Ferrari to the FIA. It would cost McLaren $100 million.

F1 driver Fernando Alonso Chris Down, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vettel Vs Webber

Sometimes the records don’t accurately show how desperately a feud was fought. In the mid-2000s, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber raced for Red Bull—they were also rivals, despite Vettel always coming out on top.

Sebastian Vettel 2015 Malaysia Podium 1 Morio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vettel Vs Webber

Their talent was matched; they were neck and neck in the points. Although it looked like Webber was in the lead in 2010, Red Bull didn’t pull Vettel out. Vettel eventually pulled ahead of Webber. Webber never forgot or forgave.

Sebastian Vettel During Hungarian Formula 1 Gp Michał Obrochta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vettel Vs Webber

The tension continued to brew until it bubbled over at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2013. Webber and Vettel easily came first and second—though drama was unfolding within the cars.

F1 2012 Barcelona Test - Mark Webber Rich Jones, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vettel Vs Webber

The team ordered both Vettel and Webber to hold their positions. Vettel decided it was a suggestion, not an order. He pulled ahead and almost took them both out of the race in the process. Webber quit later that year.

Mark Webber 2009 Germany Cord Rodefeld, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Senna Vs Prost

The rivalry between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna started in 1984. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Senna passed Prost as Prost slowed towards the line, having called for the race to be red-flagged due to unsafe conditions. Senna thought he’d won; the results were taken from the lap before.

F1 driver Ayrton Senna Instituto Ayrton Senna, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Senna Vs Prost

In 1988, the pair became teammates at McLaren. When they both crashed at Suzuka, Prost was out and Senna won. However, Senna was disqualified for cutting the chicane. Prost won the championship.

Senna 1993 European Gp Martin Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Senna Vs Prost

When they were coming head-to-head the next year, Senna wanted to ensure that he was going to win. He couldn’t lose if Prost was knocked out of the race. So, Senna took him out at the first corner to ensure that he didn’t.

F1 driver Alain Prost Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Senna Vs Prost

Their feud ended in 1993 when Prost retired. All animosity vanished once the competition was gone; the two remained friends until Senna’s tragic passing a year later.

Alain Prost During The Race In Adelaide On 7 November 1993 Apaleutos25, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jones Vs Piquet

Sometimes two people were just not meant to get along. Nelson Piquet was a practical joker. Alan Jones liked to keep things straight and serious. They were water and oil before they started racing against each other.

Alan Jones in 1980 NL-HaNA, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Jones Vs Piquet

Piquet rose to team leader suddenly when Niki Lauda retired suddenly in 1979. Jones had the skills but his vehicle that year was unreliable. The two drivers were poised against each other.

F1 driver Alan Jones Jerry Lewis-Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jones Vs Piquet

For the next two years, it was agreed that Jones and Piquet were the men to beat. The only other driver worth talking about, Gilles Villeneuve, rarely made it into the picture due to Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness.

F1 driver Nelson Piquet Página 3, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jones Vs Piquet

Jones and Piquet shared some harsh words off the track as they fought to jump ahead of each other. Their rivalry likely would have continued if Jones hadn’t announced his (first) retirement at the end of 1981.

Piquet Brabham 1984 Dallas F1 twm1340, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Clark Vs Hill

With a rivalry that dates back to the 60s, Jim Clark and Graham Hill could make a case for being “the original” F1 rivalry. They certainly made watching them worth it.

Jim Clark In 1963 Joop van Bilsen, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Clark Vs Hill

During the early 1960s, there seemed to be few, if any, drivers that could compete with Clark and Hill. In 1962, 1963, and 1965, they were the top two in the world championships. In 1964 and 1967, they were leading contenders.

F1 driver Jim Clark Rtsanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Clark Vs Hill

In 1967, Clark and Hill were competing for championships, they were also teammates. Hill may not have taken any wins while Clark took four that year, but the records don’t show how hard Hill battled, or the bad luck he faced.

F1 driver Graham Hill Anefo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Clark Vs Hill

Clark and Hill fought on other fields as well, including the 1966 Indianapolis 500—but their feud ended in tragedy. Clark passed at Hockenheim in April 1968, leaving Hill to pick up what remained of their team.

F1 driver Graham Hill Martin Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Verstappen

As we mentioned at the beginning of this piece, everyone loves a good rivalry. So far, all of these rivalries have ended. However, the one between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is just starting to grow.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Steve_Melnyk, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Verstappen

Initially, they weren’t reaching for the same goals. Verstappen just wanted the occasional win. Hamilton had the strength of Mercedes and was reaching for the world championship. This, however, has changed.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Andrew Locking, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Verstappen

Now that Hamilton and Verstappen are more evenly ranked, their feud has escalated. Verstappen is an aggressive driver. Hamilton used to attempt they stay in the race, but not anymore.

Max Verstappen At The 2021 French Grand Prix Nicolas Tucat, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Hamilton Vs Verstappen

Not only have they had blowout crashes that have landed Verstappen in the hospital, but they have engaged in petty races during free practice that means nothing. It is early days still, but this feud could easily be one to watch.

Max Verstappen in 2022 Wastrick, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mansell Vs Piquet

Nigel Mansell was a talented driver who seemed to always find himself feuding with someone. Before he feuded with Prost, Mansell was constantly finding himself behind Nelson Piquet.

F1 driver Nigel Mansell Colin_Eric, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mansell Vs Piquet

Mansell was already established at Williams when Piquet joined in 1986. Piquet, a double world champion, felt that he had number one status; however, Mansell didn’t give in easily.

Mansell At 1991 United States Grand Prix Stuart Seeger, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mansell Vs Piquet

The pair were close, racing head-to-head until Mansell faced some unfortunate setbacks. Things were also beginning to fall apart outside of the cars as well. Piquet had an attitude and Mansell didn’t like it.

F1 driver Nelson Piquet Palácio do Planalto, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mansell Vs Piquet

Off the track, Piquet made comments that Mansell didn’t like. Then, in 1986 and 1987, Piquet pulled ahead, and controversy arose. Mansell claimed Piquet’s success was because of advantages he wasn’t sharing with his team, like a different differential and active suspension. Piquet claimed Mansell just hadn’t embraced these technologies.

Regardless of who’s point-of-view was right, the rivalry between the two came to an end after Mansell crashed during a Japanese Grand Prix qualifying race and injured his back. A year later, in 1988, Piquet left Williams and joined the Lotus team.