Finland has provided F1 with many legendary drivers. There have only ever been nine drivers from the country who have competed in F1, but almost all of them have left a lasting impact. From Keke Rosberg to Kimi Raikkonen, let’s discover some of the greatest ever F1 drivers from Finland, who have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Ranking the 7 greatest Finnish F1 drivers
#7 JJ Lehto
Remembered for his flashes of brilliance and potential, Lehto’s career was derailed by injuries. He had 62 race F1 race starts, and a singular podium finish at the 1991 San Marino GP. He was also Michael Schumacher’s short-lived teammate at Benetton in 1994.
#6 Mika Salo
Mika Salo made 109 F1 starts. His career highlight came in 1999 when he replaced Michael Schumacher at Ferrari after the German’s leg injury. Salo raced six times for the team, scoring his only two career podiums during this stint. He was even set to win the 1999 German GP, but Ferrari asked him to let Eddie Irvine through to boost his title hopes.
#5 Heikki Kovalainen
While not as decorated as others, Kovalainen earned a coveted McLaren seat and delivered a memorable win at the 2008 Hungarian GP. He achieved 4 podium finishes in 111 race starts during his career.
#4 Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas is among the most successful drivers ever to win an F1 title. Often cast as Hamilton’s #2 at Mercedes, he still delivered standout performances, with 10 wins and 67 podiums. With 246 race starts, he’s the second most experienced Finnish driver ever. At 35, he may not be done yet either, with links to Cadillac’s 2026 F1 entry.
#3 Keke Rosberg – F1 World Champion
In 1982, Keke Rosberg became the first ever Finnish F1 world champion. Rosberg was the first ever driver from his country to compete in more than a one Grand Prix. This further highlights the rare nature of his achievements. He ended his career with one world championship, five wins, and 17 podiums, in 114 race starts.
#2 Mika Hakkinen – 2x F1 World Champion
Mika Hakkinen is the most successful Finnish driver in F1 history. He is the only multiple championship-winning driver from his country. The ‘Flying Finn’ claimed his two titles in 1998 and 1999, against Michael Schumacher as his main rival. Their rivalry is often considered to be one of the greatest in F1 history.
During his decade-long career, Hakkinen started 161 races, winning 20 races and finishing on the podium 51 times. He would be many people’s pick as the greatest-ever driver from Finland, a claim that’s hard to dispute.
#1 Kimi Raikkonen – F1 World Champion
But the number one spot on this list is reserved for Kimi Raikkonen. He won his only world title in 2007 and remains the latest Ferrari driver to do so. Raikkonen started 349 races, the most by a Finnish driver and third most in F1 history.
He also won 21 races and stood on 103 podiums, making him the most successful Finnish driver on both these metrics.
The Iceman is one of the most legendary figures in F1 history, and not just for his on-track exploits. He spent 19 seasons in the sport and was among its most beloved personalities toward the end of his career. His blunt, no-nonsense attitude, made him a fan favorite. He once even called F1 just a “hobby” rather than his life’s focus.
It is hard to argue with Raikkonen’s legacy and impact on the sport. While Hakkinen has one more championship and is generally considered to be a better driver than Raikkonen, the latter takes the top spot on this list for his lasting legacy, and indisputable impact on F1 for almost two decades.
