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The most talked about TrioFernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton are this year’s most talked about drivers. With only five races remaining this season, these drivers have so far remained the talk of town for various reasons like next year speculation, out of form driving and championship contenders. So let’s delve into the racing history of the trio and what best way than to do a statistical comparison of the three to point out their illustrative careers.
#1 Fernando Alonso
Regarded by many as the greatest all-round driver in the sport, the two times world champion is titled as 200 % performance giver as well Racing Monster. Alonso made the foray into F1 in 2001 for Minardi and following a test driver role for a year with Renault, Alonso got a racing seat in 2003 for the same team and never looked back.
| Year | Team | Race | Race Started | Won | Podium | Highest Finish | Pole Positions | Points Scored |
| 2001 | Minardi | 17 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | Renault | 16 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
| 2004 | Renault | 18 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 59 |
| 2005 | Renault | 19 | 18 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 133 |
| 2006 | Renault | 18 | 18 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 134 |
| 2007 | McLaren | 17 | 17 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 109 |
| 2008 | Renault | 18 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 61 |
| 2009 | Renault | 17 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 26 |
| 2010 | Ferrari | 19 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 252 |
| 2011 | Ferrari | 19 | 19 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 257 |
| 2012 | Ferrari | 20 | 20 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 278 |
| 2013 | Ferrari | 19 | 19 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 242 |
| Total | 217 | 216 | 32 | 95 | 22 | 1606 |
#2 Kimi Raikkonen
The silent but extremely fast Kimi Raikkonen made an eye turning debut to the sport in 2001 with Sauber and moved to the mighty McLaren the very next year. Following a stint of 5 years with the team he moved to Ferrari in 2007 replacing the legend Schumacher. Posting great results, the iceman came to the last race of 2007 season being third in the drivers standing, but won the race and the title following a strategy blunder on the part of Hamilton. Although he had to wait a month for the confirmation of the results as McLaren complained to the governing body regarding the legality of some cars.
| Year | Team | Race | Race Started | Won | Podium | Highest Finish | Pole Positions | Points Scored |
| 2001 | Sauber | 17 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| 2002 | McLaren | 17 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 24 |
| 2003 | McLaren | 16 | 16 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 91 |
| 2004 | McLaren | 18 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 45 |
| 2005 | McLaren | 19 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 112 |
| 2006 | McLaren | 18 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 65 |
| 2007 | Ferrari | 17 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 110 |
| 2008 | Ferrari | 18 | 18 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 75 |
| 2009 | Ferrari | 17 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 48 |
| 2012 | Lotus | 20 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 207 |
| 2013 | Lotus | 17 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 183 |
| Total | 194 | 193 | 20 | 77 | 16 | 969 |
#3 Lewis Hamilton
From an early age, Lewis Hamilton attracted attention as a potential F1 champion and he did not disappoint. Equipped with an assured racing style which belief his years, Hamilton rose rapidly through the ranks.
| Year | Team | Race | Race Started | Won | Podium | Highest Finish | Pole Positions | Points Scored |
| 2007 | McLaren | 17 | 17 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 109 |
| 2008 | McLaren | 18 | 18 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 98 |
| 2009 | McLaren | 17 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 49 |
| 2010 | McLaren | 19 | 19 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 240 |
| 2011 | McLaren | 19 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 227 |
| 2012 | McLaren | 20 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 190 |
| 2013 | Mercedes | 19 | 19 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 189 |
| Total | 129 | 129 | 22 | 54 | 31 | 1102 |
#4 A Comparison
Both Kimi and Alonso made their debut in the year 2001 while the younger Hamilton came into scene in 2007. While Alonso became 2 time world champion in 2005 and 2006, Kimi took the title from the two in 2007 with rookie Hamilton coming this close to claim the title. Hamilton the very next year realised his potential by claiming the title in 2008.
The ever consistent Alonso is not only the double world champion but is also credited with ending the dominance of Schumacher. A controversial pairing with Hamilton in 2007 saw him falling out with Ron Dennis followed by 2 years behind the uncompetitive Renault. With a coveted move to Ferrari in 2010, Alonso still remains in the pursuit of that ever elusive third world champion title with the same rigour as the first one.
The silent but extremely fast Kimi Raikkonen made an eye turning debut to the sport in 2001 with Sauber and following a stint of 5 years with Mclaren moved to Ferrari in 2007 replacing the legend Schumacher. Posting great results, the iceman came to the last race being third in the drivers standing, but won the race and the title following a strategy blunder on the part of Hamilton. Although he had to wait a month for the confirmation of the result as McLaren complained to the governing body regarding the legality of some cars.
Hamilton missed the title by just 1 point in his rookie year, but claimed the title in 2008. Regarded as the last of thoroughbred racers, Hamilton is often praised and criticised for his aggressive racing style. With many a years remaining in his F1 career as well as a few more championship winning years, he remains the driver to watch for years to come and who knows he may add one more to his tally this year.
