In Formula 1, age is often seen as a barrier to continued success, with drivers facing increasing challenges as they grow older. Despite this, a few notable drivers have tried to defy the odds and continue their careers beyond the age of 40. Lewis Hamilton, currently the sport’s most successful active driver, has made it clear that he’s still driven and focused on adding an eighth world championship to his collection. However, the history of F1 suggests that success after 40 is rare, and Hamilton will face significant hurdles if he aims to achieve this milestone.
As it stands, no driver has won a Formula 1 race past the age of 40 since 1994. Additionally, it’s been 59 years since the last 40-plus-year-old driver claimed a world title. Despite Hamilton’s ambition and undoubted talent, the sport has seen many of its greatest drivers struggle to maintain their peak form as they age.
One of the most iconic comebacks in F1 history came from Michael Schumacher. The seven-time world champion returned to the sport with Mercedes in 2010, hoping to add an eighth title to his legacy. Unfortunately, his post-comeback years didn’t go as planned. Schumacher was consistently outperformed by his teammate Nico Rosberg over three seasons and only made it to the podium once. He eventually retired again in 2012 at the age of 43, ending his second stint in F1 without a world championship.
Another notable driver, Nigel Mansell, returned to F1 in 1994 after a successful stint in IndyCar. He joined Williams as a replacement for the injured Ayrton Senna, hoping to help his teammate, Damon Hill, win the title that season. Mansell succeeded in this mission, even securing a win in the Australian Grand Prix at the age of 41. However, despite his victory, Mansell’s presence in the sport was brief. His attempt to challenge for the championship with McLaren in 1995 ended in frustration, and he quit after just two races.
Fangio, one of F1’s most legendary figures, proved that age could still be an asset in the right circumstances. Juan Manuel Fangio didn’t compete in Europe until his late 30s and didn’t claim his first world championship until he was 40. However, he was virtually unbeatable at his peak, winning five titles in total. Incredibly, he claimed his last title at the age of 46 in 1957, a feat that remains unmatched. His longevity in the sport stands as a testament to both his remarkable skill and his ability to defy the typical limitations of aging in F1.
The oldest driver to win an F1 title was Giuseppe Farina, who was 43 when he took the inaugural championship in 1950. During the early years of F1, many older drivers had extensive racing experience from pre-World War II events. Luigi Fagioli, for example, remains the oldest race winner in F1 history, having triumphed at the age of 53 in the 1951 French Grand Prix when he shared the victory with Fangio. Another veteran, Louis Chiron, made a remarkable appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix at the age of 58 in 1958.
Jack Brabham, the Australian veteran, was the last driver to win an F1 championship at 40 or older. Brabham claimed his third title in 1966 while driving for his own Brabham team. He was 40 at the time and became the first driver to win a world championship with a car bearing his own name. He would go on to secure his final win in 1970 at the age of 43 before retiring from the sport later that year.
Looking ahead, there is another driver hoping to defy the odds: Fernando Alonso. The two-time world champion, who made his F1 debut alongside Hamilton in 2007, continues to compete with ambition and determination. Now in his early 40s, Alonso has shown that he’s not ready to retire anytime soon. His current team, Aston Martin, is expected to focus on developing a competitive car for the 2026 season, giving Alonso a potential opportunity to challenge for another title.
Despite the challenges that come with aging in F1, Alonso’s persistence and hunger for success could lead to an exciting future. However, whether he will be able to achieve the ultimate goal of a third world championship after 40 remains to be seen. The sport’s history shows that winning after the age of 40 is a significant challenge, but with the right combination of skill, luck, and team performance, it is still possible. The 2025 season, which begins next week in Melbourne, Australia, may provide more clues to whether drivers like Hamilton and Alonso can defy the odds and break the 40-year barrier.
