What Is A Grand Slam In F1?

A Grand Slam in F1, also known as a “Grand Chelem”, is an incredibly difficult feat to achieve. It requires a driver to take pole position, lead every lap of the race, win the race, and set the fastest lap of the race.

In Formula One, a Grand Slam has become a rare occurrence. It requires skill, commitment and a strong performance from the driver and the team. Jim Clark holds the record for most Grand Slams, achieving eight in his illustrious career. Among the current drivers, Lewis Hamilton has the most Grand Slams with six.

Achieving a Grand Slam is a great honor and can be the difference between a driver becoming a champion or not. As such, it is a great accomplishment and is highly sought after by drivers. Charles Leclerc achieved a Grand Slam in the 2021 Australian Grand Prix and Max Verstappen achieved his first Grand Slam at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix.

The Grand Slam is an incredible feat in Formula One and is something that drivers strive for every race. It is a testament to the skill and dedication of a driver and team and is an incredible accomplishment.

History of the F1 Grand Slam

The Grand Slam, sometimes known as a “Grand Chelem” in Formula One, is an incredibly difficult feat to achieve. It requires a driver to score pole position in qualifying, lead every lap of the race, win the race, and set the fastest lap of the race. A Grand Slam is a great honor and can be the difference between a driver becoming a champion or not.

History of Grand Slams in F1

Grand Slams have been achieved since 1950 when Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina took the first Grand Slam in an F1 race. It was at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix. English driver Jim Clark has the most Grand Slams, with a record eight in just three years. The Scot finished the first of his record eight Grand Slams in Aintree in 1962. His last Grand Slam was at Germany’s Nurburgring in 1965.

Throughout the entire existence of Formula One, just three drivers have accomplished sequential Grand Slams. Jim Clark (1965 French Grand Prix, 1965 German Grand Prix), Alberto Ascari (1952 German Grand Prix, 1952 Dutch Grand Prix), Sebastian Vettel (2013 Singapore Grand Prix, 2013 Korean Grand Prix).

Grand Slams in the Modern Era of F1

In the modern era of F1, only 25 drivers have ever achieved a Grand Slam. The most recent driver to do so is Max Verstappen. It was at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, where Verstappen got the Grand Slam. It was the perfect week for the flying Dutch. He became the youngest F1 driver to achieve a Grand Slam in an F1 race. Max was 23 years and 277 days old when he achieved the grand slam.

Notable Grand Slams in F1 History

Jim Clark

Jim Clark holds the record for most Grand Slams, achieving eight in his illustrious career. Among the current drivers, Lewis Hamilton has the most Grand Slams with six. Jim Clark was a British racing driver from Scotland who raced in Formula One from 1960 to 1968. Clark is considered one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time and is one of only two drivers to have won the F1 World Championship more than once. His first Grand Slam was at Aintree in 1962 and his last Grand Slam was at Germany’s Nurburgring in 1965.

Alberto Ascari

Alberto Ascari was an Italian racing driver who raced in Formula One from 1950 to 1955. He is the only driver to have achieved consecutive Grand Slams, at the 1952 German Grand Prix and 1952 Dutch Grand Prix. Ascaris career was cut short when he was tragically killed in an accident at the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel is a German four-time Formula One World Champion and currently racing for Aston Martin. Vettel is the only driver to have achieved consecutive Grand Slams at the 2013 Singapore Grand Prix and 2013 Korean Grand Prix. Vettel has achieved a total of four Grand Slams in his career.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is a British racing driver who currently races for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Hamilton is the most successful driver in F1 history, having won the F1 World Championship a record seven times. Hamilton has achieved six Grand Slams in his career, the most recent coming at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is a Dutch racing driver who currently races for Red Bull Racing. He achieved his first Grand Slam at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to do so in an F1 race. Verstappen won his maiden F1 championship in 2021, and followed it up with his second championship in 2022.

What Is A Grand Slam In F1? – Key Takeaways

In conclusion, a Grand Slam is an incredibly difficult feat to achieve in Formula One, but is a great honor for any driver who can accomplish it. Jim Clark holds the record for most Grand Slams, with a total of eight in just three years. Lewis Hamilton is the most successful current driver, with six Grand Slams in his career. Max Verstappen is the most recent driver to achieve a Grand Slam, which he did at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix.

Key Takeaways

• A Grand Slam is a feat achieved by a driver who scores pole position in qualifying, leads every lap of the race, wins the race, and sets the fastest lap of the race.

• Jim Clark holds the record for most Grand Slams, with eight in three years. • Lewis Hamilton is the most successful current driver, with six Grand Slams in his career.

• Max Verstappen is the most recent driver to achieve a Grand Slam, which he did at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix.

What Is A Grand Slam In F1? – FAQs