Michael Schumacher didn’t make it on his comeback, Fernando Alonso has been trying for years: to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix at the age of 40+. Since January 7th, Lewis Hamilton has also had the “4”, which gives him the chance to join an illustrious circle of old F1 men.
Luigi Fagioli. A name that immediately makes you want a game of Mario Kart and a plate of beans. But above all one that stands for one of the most incredible records in Formula 1.
Because Luigi Fagioli achieved the feat of winning a Formula 1 race at the 1951 French Grand Prix at the age of 53 years and 22 days.
This means “the old robber from Abruzzo” – what a nickname! – the table of the oldest race winners by a wide margin.
Another Italian, Nino Farina, follows in second place. He was already 46 years old when he won the German GP in 1953. Five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio was also 46, but eight months younger, when he triumphed at the Nürburgring in 1957. The Argentine’s nickname must also be mentioned at this point: “The Crooked-Legged One.”
And Sir Lewis Hamilton? With a victory in the Ferrari, the record world champion would move into the ranks of winners with 40+ (see table). The Brit is already represented in the senior committee of the F1 winners. When he won at Silverstone in the preseason, Hamilton was 39 and a half years old.
| Place | driver | Old | Last GP victory |
| 1 | Luigi Fagioli | 53 | French GP 1951 |
| 2 | Nino Farina | 46 | Germany 1953 |
| 3 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 46 | Germany 1957 |
| 4 | Piero Taruffi | 45 | Switzerland 1952 |
| 5 | Jack Brabham | 43 | South Africa 1970 |
| 6 | Nigel Mansell | 41 | Australia 1994 |
| 7 | Maurice Trintignant | 40 | Monaco 1958 |
| 8 | Graham Hill | 40 | Monaco 1969 |
| 9 | Clay Regazzoni | 39 | Great Britain 1979 |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | 39 | Great Britain 2024 |
Formula 1: Hamilton could overtake Mansell
Since the Englishman has signed a multi-year contract with Scuderia, meaning he will be working for the team from Maranello at least until the end of 2026, Hamilton could still move up to sixth place in the all-time age ranking. This is occupied by his compatriot Nigel Mansell.
The mustachioed icon was hired by Williams for the final races of the 1994 season as the reigning IndyCar champion. The 1992 world champion was supposed to support Damon Hill in the world championship fight against Michael Schumacher.
The plan seemed to be working. At the season finale in Adelaide, the veteran Schumacher snatched pole position. At the start, Mansell was left behind by his title rivals. He ultimately won the race Down Under because Schumacher and Hill collided and were eliminated.