Formula One history is draped in stories of epic rivalries, great individual performances, and legends.
These five races detail the best F1 races of all-time which include heated rivalries, key moments in the careers of legends, and world-class racing.
1976: Japanese Grand Prix
The 1976 season was one of the most epic in Formula One history. The battle between Niki Lauda and James Hunt was a must-see spectacle at each race.
But, at the German Grand Prix, Lauda was involved in a crash that many presumed had killed him. But the Austrian defied the odds, severe burns, and intake of deadly gases to sit in his Ferrari just three races later.
Fourth, eighth, and third place finishes kept him ahead of James Hunt, who had closed in on Lauda coming into the final race of the season.
The Japanese Grand Prix 1976 witnessed torrential rain which many drivers – including Lauda and Hunt – deemed too dangerous to race in.
Lauda opted to no longer ride his luck and bravely retired on the second lap. Hunt couldn’t help but go into race mode and finished third to take the World Championship by a single point.
The Brit famously said: “In a perfect world, we would have shared the championship… For me, Niki’s decision was the bravest of all.”
1985: Portuguese Grand Prix
The 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix marked the birth of a legend. In only his second race for Lotus – having raced his first season for Toleman in 1984 – Ayrton Senna started at the top of the grid and certainly made the most of it.
On a very wet day, he lapped everyone but Michele Alboreto, who finished second by a massive 1:02.978. The Brazilian would finish fourth in the World Championship, but it was the start of something very special.
1987: British Grand Prix
Williams-Honda was the dominant force in 1987, which was demonstrated perfectly by the race of Nigel Mansell at the British Grand Prix. He and teammate Nelson Piquet started on the front row, but a technical issue forced Mansell to fall 29 seconds behind Piquet.
En route to catching his teammate, Mansell broke the lap record 11 times and took the lead on the penultimate lap, winning in front of his home fans.
2006: Chinese Grand Prix
The 2006 Chinese Grand Prix saw the end of an era with one of the greatest performances from an established legend of the sport. Michael Schumacher put went all out in China to come from sixth to catch up to race leaders Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso.
Then, in the 31st lap, the German overtook the Spaniard and Italian to take the lead. It would be his 91st and final F1 win of the legendary driver’s career.
2018: German Grand Prix
This race propelled Lewis Hamilton to the top of the World Drivers’ Championship and the odds.
He’s currently 3/5 to win the championship to Sebastian Vettel’s 6/5. Troubles in qualifying saw Hamilton start in 14th while Vettel claimed pole and looked set to extend his eight-point lead in the standings.
Some slick tactics from the Mercedes team and Vettel’s surprise slide into the barriers on lap 52 saw Hamilton shoot up the order and coast to his biggest ever comeback win.
It also marked Mercedes’ first-ever one-two finish on their home circuit with Valtteri Bottas coming in second.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
