Top 10 F1 Drivers With Most Career Points But No World Championship
In Formula 1, scoring many points doesn’t always translate to winning the coveted Drivers' Championship. Some drivers have accumulated impressive career points but never clinched the title. Let’s explore the ten drivers with the most points who never secured a Drivers' Championship.
10. Rubens Barrichello – 658 Points
Starting his F1 journey at just 20 years old with Jordan in 1993, Rubens Barrichello quickly made a name for himself, achieving his first podium in 1994. After stints with Stewart and eventually Ferrari, where he teamed up with Michael Schumacher, Barrichello earned his first race win in 2000. Despite 51 podiums and playing a vital role in Ferrari’s five straight Constructors’ titles, he finished as championship runner-up twice behind Schumacher, narrowly missing out on the Drivers' crown.
9. Oscar Piastri – 951 Points
A rising talent, Australian Oscar Piastri currently races for McLaren. In 2025, he came close to ending this list but was edged out by teammate Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. His late-season struggles cost him the title, but with time on his side, Piastri could climb higher in this ranking.
8. Mark Webber – 1,047.5 Points
Making his debut in 2002 with Minardi, Mark Webber soon moved through Jaguar and Williams before finding success at Red Bull Racing. Over 12 seasons, he notched nine wins, including double triumphs at Monaco and Britain, 42 podiums, and contributed to four consecutive Constructors’ Championships, yet never captured the Drivers' title.
7. Felipe Massa – 1,167 Points
Felipe Massa came heartbreakingly close in 2008, finishing just one point behind Lewis Hamilton. Leading at the final race’s end, Massa lost the championship when Hamilton overtook another driver on the last lap. Over a 15-season career, mostly with Ferrari, he amassed 11 wins and 41 podiums but never the Drivers' Championship.
6. George Russell – 1,295 Points
Joining Mercedes in 2022, George Russell impressed immediately with eight podiums and his first win at the Brazilian GP, ending fourth in the championship. Starting his career with Williams in 2019 and part of the Mercedes Junior Team since 2017, Russell remains a strong contender for future titles despite not having won one yet.
5. Daniel Ricciardo – 1,329 Points
Known for his charm and racing skill, Daniel Ricciardo debuted in 2011 with HRT and climbed through Toro Rosso to Red Bull. He achieved eight victories across five teams over 14 seasons, including memorable wins in Canada and Hungary. Though never a champion, Ricciardo is celebrated widely among fans and peers alike.
4. Carlos Sainz Jr – 1,343.5 Points
Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr has racked up over 1,300 points through consistent performances with Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari. While he helped Ferrari finish second and third in the Constructors' Championship in recent years, his current stint with Williams makes a Drivers' title unlikely.
3. Sergio Perez – 1,638 Points
Mexican driver Sergio "Checo" Perez was runner-up in the 2023 Drivers' Championship with Red Bull but has yet to win the title. Starting in 2011 with Sauber, he raced for McLaren and Force India before joining Red Bull in 2021. He secured six Grand Prix wins, including his first at the 2020 Sakhir GP. After a winless 2024 season, he moved to Cadillac alongside a fellow high-ranking driver from this list.
2. Valtteri Bottas – 1,797 Points
Holding the record for most points without a Drivers' Championship until recently, Valtteri Bottas debuted in 2013 with Williams, later joining Mercedes where he was runner-up twice, losing to teammate Lewis Hamilton. Contributing to five Constructors' titles, Bottas now races for Cadillac but remains near the top of this list.
1. Charles Leclerc – 1,921 Points
Monaco’s Charles Leclerc narrowly missed the 2022 championship, finishing second to Verstappen. Since debuting in 2018 with Sauber and joining Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc quickly notched wins in Belgium and Italy. His potential for future championships is clear, though the title still escapes him.
- Points accurate as of November 10, 2026
