When we talk about dominance, one name rises above the rest, it’s Schumi, he dominated the sport, for years,no one did it quite like Michael Schumacher. It wasn’t just about winning races, it was about owning entire weekends from start to finish. Pole position? Secured. Fastest lap? Of course. Race win? Inevitable. Schumacher didn’t just collect trophies—he controlled the entire rhythm of the Grand Prix. And he did this so often that it became normal.
How often, exactly? Twenty-two times.
That’s how many times Schumacher pulled off the elusive “hat-trick” in F1—qualifying first, setting the fastest lap, and winning the race. Also Schumi once said: “records are there to be broken“, but this number remains untouched. Even Lewis Hamilton who also dominated with Mercedes, despite surpassing 100 victories, hasn’t caught him in that department. Nor has Max Verstappen, despite his current era of domination.
Check the stats below:
- Michael Schumacher: 91 wins, 22 hat-tricks (roughly 1 in every 4 wins)
- Lewis Hamilton: 105 wins, 19 hat-tricks (about 1 in every 5.5)
- Max Verstappen: 65 wins, 13 hat-tricks (around 1 in 5)
Here’s what makes it even more impressive: Schumacher achieved this across two different teams—Benetton and Ferrari—proving it wasn’t just about having the fastest car. It was about being relentless, consistent, and utterly dominant.
Why This Record May Never Fall
Formula 1 today is a different beast. In Schumacher’s time, leading by 30 seconds was realistic. Today, even a 10-second lead comes with team orders to slow down, protect the tires, and play it safe. The modern format, with its DRS trains, tire-saving strategies, and that bonus point for the fastest lap, makes it harder than ever to achieve a perfect weekend.
Ask any fan: you don’t see full-throttle fastest laps from race leaders anymore. You see midfielders pitting late to steal that single point. That kind of racing makes Schumacher’s hat-tricks even more remarkable in hindsight.
Verstappen’s Window Is Narrow
At his current pace of three to four hat-tricks a season, Verstappen would need several more years—possibly until 2027—just to tie the record. But F1 isn’t static. New regulations are coming. Red Bull’s dominance may fade. Verstappen may switch teams. There’s no guarantee his current run will last long enough to close the gap.
And Hamilton? Probably Not Happening
Let’s be honest: Hamilton has nothing left to prove in this area. He would need four more hat-tricks to pass Schumacher, but with Ferrari still rebuilding, that feels like a long shot. At 39, his eyes are set on an eighth championship, not chasing fastest laps at the expense of tire life.
Could the Next Generation Do It?
Possibly—but only if the stars align. A future superstar would need a car as dominant as Red Bull’s was in 2023, and they’d need to keep that performance level for five straight years. That kind of consistency in modern F1 is extremely rare. If it ever happens again, it’ll take patience, talent, and a team that can match the synergy Schumacher had with Ferrari.
And here’s one final detail to chew on: Schumacher’s last hat-trick came in 2004—the same year Max Verstappen turned seven. That record has been standing strong for over two decades, and for now, it looks like it’s staying that way.in.
