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Three F1 drivers have now been featured in the famous The Time 100 Most Influential People magazine, including Lewis Hamilton.
The Time 100 section of the magazine started in 1999 and featured people who excelled in their respective fields. Since its inception, it has been one of the most popular magazine sections. Along with Lewis Hamilton, three F1 drivers have graced the list in the history of the sport.
#1 Michael Schumacher
Many consider Michael Schumacher as the best F1 driver in the history of the sport. The German first raced in the single-seater sport in 1991 and instantly impressed the paddock. In just three years, he went on to win his first two world championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.
Following this, his main dominant era began when he joined Ferrari in 1996 and gradually built a solid team around himself. From 2000 to 2004 he and the Italian giants enjoyed success, winning five drivers' and constructors' titles consecutively.
After winning seven world championships, Michael Schumacher was finally added to The Time 100 list in 2005.
#2 Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton was the next driver to be featured in the famous Time 100 list. The British driver graced the F1 grid in 2007 and bagged a podium on his debut race in Australia with McLaren. Many in the paddock recognized his talent, which he brilliantly showcased in the next couple of years. In his second season in F1, he mind-blowingly won his first world championship, beating Ferrari's Felipe Massa by one point.
A few years later, Lewis Hamilton left McLaren and joined Mercedes, right before the FIA implemented power unit changes. This move proved fruitful as the Silver Arrows managed to create one of the strongest power units in 2014. This allowed Hamilton and Mercedes to embark on an eight-year dominant era, during which they won eight constructors' championships, while the British driver clinched six drivers' titles.
In 2020, when Lewis Hamilton won his seventh F1 title, his name was mentioned in The Time 100 list.
#3 Max Verstappen
Most recently, it was Max Verstappen who got featured on the Time 100 list. The Dutchman joined F1 in 2014 with Red Bull's B team, Toro Rosso (currently known as Visa Cash App RB). After just two years, he was promoted to Red Bull Racing mid-season and replaced Daniil Kvyat. In his first race with the Austrian team, Verstappen managed to win the first race of his F1 career.
Though he was one of the strongest F1 drivers on the grid, many considered him a bit too rash and hot-headed in his initial years in the sport. After a few years, however, the Dutch lion became ruthless in a more composed manner.
His hunger to win his first world championship was satisfied in 2021 when he locked horns in a tight battle with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Ever since 2021, Max Verstappen has been dominating F1, winning the 2022 and 2023 F1 world championships with ease.
The Red Bull star was featured in the 2024 version of The Time 100 list, making him the youngest F1 driver to have ever been featured on the prestigious list.
