Larrousse, Laffite, Stewart… Who are the veterans of Formula 1?

With the death of Hermano da Silva Ramos, it is much more than a name that disappears from the annals of the Formula 1The Franco-Brazilian driver, who had participated in several Grands Prix in the 1950s and 1960s, was until now the oldest living driver. His passing serves as a stark reminder of how rare those who were involved in the early days of the championship have become. Through them lives on the memory of a radically different Formula 1: tree-lined street circuits, minimal safety measures, and unpredictable cars. Today, the few survivors from that era embody a precious living memory, a blend of sporting legacy and historical testimony.

The top 10 oldest living F1 drivers

At the top of the rankings now sits John Rhodes, 98 years and 8 months old, a British driver who raced in F1 at the 1965 British Grand Prix in a Cooper. Behind him is André Milhoux, 97 years and 4 months old, a Belgian who competed in the 1956 German Grand Prix. The podium of veterans is completed by David Piper, 95 years old, a British driver who raced several times in F1 in the early 1960s before becoming a legend of the sport.Endurance.

Fourth place goes to Alex Soler-Roig (93 years, 6 months), a Spanish driver who raced for March and Classic Ferrari for sale between 1970 and 1972. Almost tied, Gaetano Starrabba (93 years, 5 months), a Sicilian aristocrat who participated in the 1961 Italian Grand Prix in a private Lotus. Next are Giorgio Bassi (92 years, 3 months) and George Follmer (92 years, 3 months), the American having notably driven a full season in 1973 for Shadow. Paddy Driver (91 years, 11 months), Michael May (91 years, 8 months) and Peter Ashdown (91 years, 6 months) complete this top 10 — ten men whose names evoke a black and white Formula 1, light years away from today's single-seaters.

The first Frenchman

In this ranking, the first French representative is Gérard Larrousse, 85 years and 11 months old. The Lyon native competed in two Grands Prix in 1974 for Brabham, but it is primarily as a team manager—at the helm of the Larrousse team in the 1980s and 1990s—that he made his mark on F1 history. The second Frenchman is Henri Pescarolo (83 years, 8 months old). The legend of 24 Hours of Le Mans He started 56 Formula 1 Grands Prix, finishing on the podium once. François Mazet (83 years, 2 months), who drove for March in 1971, is third. Next come Jacques Laffite (82 years, 5 months), much better known for his 176 Grands Prix and 6 F1 victories, and Michel Leclère (80 years, 1 month), Jean-Pierre Jarier (79 years, 9 months), and others. Rene Arnoux (77 years, 10 months).

The oldest living world champion

Among living former Formula 1 World Champions, Jackie Stewart holds the top spot. The three-time Scottish world champion, born on June 11, 1939, remains the oldest living driver to have won the world title. He sits 23rd in the overall standings at 86 years and 10 months—and holds multiple distinctions, as he is also the oldest living Grand Prix winner. Since the death of John Surtees in 2017, Jackie Stewart is the last surviving World Champion from the 1960s. Three titles, 27 victories, and extraordinary longevity for the man still nicknamed "The Flying Scot."

At the other end of the spectrum

While veterans defy time at the top of this ranking, Formula 1 in 2026 sends the opposite signals at the bottom of the age pyramid. Kimi Antonelli, winner of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix at 19 years and 8 months, embodies the trend towards the accelerated rejuvenation of the grid. The record, however, remains held by Max Verstappenwho arrived in Formula 1 at just 17 years and 5 months old. An era where we can simultaneously pay tribute to a centenarian who raced in 1955 and celebrate drivers born in 2007, like Arvid Lindblad, the only rookie born in 2026.

ALSO READ > Hermano da Silva Ramos, the oldest Formula 1 driver in the world, has died at 100 years old