Formula 1 Grand Slam: The Ultimate Achievement Explained

In Formula 1, a Grand Slam represents dominance by a driver during a Grand Prix weekend.

This remarkable feat underscores complete mastery over a race, both in terms of speed and strategy. Throughout F1 history, only a select group of drivers have managed to achieve this accolade. Even more exclusive is the group of drivers who have accomplished back-to-back Grand Slams, a real testament to their overwhelming dominance during specific periods.

What is a Formula 1 Grand Slam?

Let’s get into it! A Grand Slam, sometimes referred to as a “Grand Chelem,” occurs when a driver:

1. Qualifies in pole position
2. Leads every single lap of the race
3. Sets the fastest lap
4. Wins the race

Achieving this combination of excellence during a race is an extraordinary challenge. Drivers who accomplish this have showcased unmatched speed, precision, and control, outclassing their competitors from start to finish.

The Exclusive Club: Consecutive Grand Slams

In the history of Formula 1, only three drivers have been able to achieve consecutive Grand Slams:

1. Jim Clark – 1965 French Grand Prix and 1965 German Grand Prix
2. Alberto Ascari – 1952 German Grand Prix and 1952 Dutch Grand Prix
3. Sebastian Vettel – 2013 Singapore Grand Prix and 2013 Korean Grand Prix

Formula 1 Grand Slams: A Historical Overview

Below is a list of every driver who has achieved a Grand Slam, alongside the races in which they accomplished this extraordinary performance.

Jim Clark (8 Grand Slams)

• 1962 British Grand Prix
• 1963 Dutch Grand Prix
• 1963 French Grand Prix
• 1963 Mexican Grand Prix
• 1964 British Grand Prix
• 1965 South African Grand Prix
• 1965 French Grand Prix
• 1965 German Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (6 Grand Slams)

• 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix
• 2015 Italian Grand Prix
• 2017 Chinese Grand Prix
• 2017 Canadian Grand Prix
• 2017 British Grand Prix
• 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Alberto Ascari (5 Grand Slams)

• 1952 French Grand Prix
• 1952 German Grand Prix
• 1952 Dutch Grand Prix
• 1953 Argentine Grand Prix
• 1953 British Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher (5 Grand Slams)

• 1994 Monaco Grand Prix
• 1994 Canadian Grand Prix
• 2002 Spanish Grand Prix
• 2004 Australian Grand Prix
• 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen (5 Grand Slams)

• 2021 Austrian Grand Prix
• 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
• 2023 Spanish Grand Prix
• 2023 Qatar Grand Prix
• 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

Jackie Stewart (4 Grand Slams)

• 1969 French Grand Prix
• 1971 Monaco Grand Prix
• 1971 French Grand Prix
• 1972 United States Grand Prix

Ayrton Senna (4 Grand Slams)

• 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix
• 1989 Spanish Grand Prix
• 1990 Monaco Grand Prix
• 1990 Italian Grand Prix

Nigel Mansell (4 Grand Slams)

• 1991 British Grand Prix
• 1992 South African Grand Prix
• 1992 Spanish Grand Prix
• 1992 British Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (4 Grand Slams)

• 2011 Indian Grand Prix
• 2012 Japanese Grand Prix
• 2013 Singapore Grand Prix
• 2013 Korean Grand Prix

Nelson Piquet (3 Grand Slams)

• 1980 United States Grand Prix West
• 1981 Argentine Grand Prix
• 1984 Canadian Grand Prix

Jack Brabham (2 Grand Slams)

• 1960 Belgian Grand Prix
• 1966 British Grand Prix

Mika Häkkinen (2 Grand Slams)

• 1998 Brazilian Grand Prix
• 1998 Monaco Grand Prix

Drivers with 1 Grand Slam

• Mike Hawthorn – 1958 French Grand Prix
• Stirling Moss – 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix
• Jo Siffert – 1971 Austrian Grand Prix
• Jacky Ickx – 1972 German Grand Prix
• Clay Regazzoni – 1976 United States Grand Prix West
• Niki Lauda – 1976 Belgian Grand Prix
• Jacques Laffite – 1979 Brazilian Grand Prix
• Gilles Villeneuve – 1979 United States Grand Prix West
• Gerhard Berger – 1987 Australian Grand Prix
• Damon Hill – 1995 Hungarian Grand Prix
• Fernando Alonso – 2010 Singapore Grand Prix
• Charles Leclerc – 2022 Australian Grand Prix

To Conclude

Earning a Grand Slam in Formula 1 is one of the most challenging and rewarding feats for any driver, often marking them as one of the sport’s all-time greats of their time. As of 2024, Max Verstappen is the most recent driver to join this elite group, demonstrating the continued significance of the Grand Slam in modern F1 racing.