Lewis Hamilton's recent win in Barcelona has extended his record for the longest gap between first and latest victories in F1. Here's a look at other drivers who have also enjoyed long-winning spans in their careers.
Lewis Hamilton’s victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marks yet another milestone in his illustrious career, extending his record for the longest span between his first and most recent wins in Formula 1. His debut win came way back in 2007, and almost two decades later, he's still climbing the podium. But Hamilton isn't the only driver who has managed to stretch out his winning years. Here are ten other drivers who have also enjoyed long careers with significant gaps between their first and last victories.
Riccardo Patrese's career is notable not just for its length but also for its variety. His first victory was in Monaco in 1982 with Brabham, a race filled with late drama as contenders faltered. His last win came a decade later in Japan with Williams.
Gerhard Berger's first and last wins were both with Benetton, spaced nearly 11 years apart. His maiden victory in Mexico in 1986 was a strategic masterpiece, while his final win in Germany in 1997 came after a challenging season.
Jack Brabham's first victory in Monaco in 1959 kick-started a championship-winning season. Over a decade later, he earned his last win in South Africa in 1970, wrapping up a remarkable career he spent partly with his own team.
Sebastian Vettel's initial triumph came in a wet Monza in 2008 with Toro Rosso. Despite success with Red Bull, his last victory was with Ferrari in Singapore in 2019, before retiring in 2022.
Nelson Piquet's journey began with a win at Long Beach in 1980. His final victory in Canada in 1991 was a dramatic affair, capitalizing on a last-lap mishap by Nigel Mansell.
Niki Lauda's first win was in Jarama in 1974 with Ferrari. His last came in 1985 at Zandvoort with McLaren, concluding a career marked by resilience and a comeback after a near-fatal crash.
Alain Prost first tasted victory at the French Grand Prix in 1981. His final win came in Germany in 1993 with Williams, capping off an impressive career with a fourth championship.
Michael Schumacher's first victory was in Belgium in 1992. After many successes, particularly with Ferrari, his last win was in China in 2006, before a less fruitful return with Mercedes.
Kimi Raikkonen's debut win came in Malaysia in 2003. After a brief sabbatical, he returned and eventually won in Austin in 2018 with Ferrari, before moving to Sauber.
Lewis Hamilton's first win was with McLaren in Canada in 2007, and his latest was in Barcelona with Ferrari in 2026. Over 381 races, he's secured 106 wins, making him a true icon of the sport.