Leclerc reaches a rare F1 milestone in Madrid, but would have preferred a different entry

The other driver is Stirling Moss, who led 1,181 laps during his Formula 1 career but never managed to win the World Championship. He did, however, take 16 victories and finished as championship runner-up on four occasions.

Leclerc, meanwhile, finished as runner-up to Verstappen in 2022 and has nine Grand Prix victories to his name, but he too remains without a World Championship, unlike others from his generation such as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, who have already claimed the title.

Lewis Hamilton is comfortably at the top of the list, having led more laps than any other driver in Formula 1 history. The Briton has spent more than 5,500 laps at the front during his career, a record that reflects his extraordinary consistency over two decades at the highest level. Hamilton has also converted that dominance into seven World Championships, placing him alongside Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time title standings.

Schumacher occupies second place with more than 5,100 laps led, another remarkable figure built during a career that saw him dominate Formula 1 across multiple eras. The German won seven World Championships and 91 Grands Prix, while his time at the front of races played a major role in establishing his status as one of the sport’s most successful drivers.

Behind him, Verstappen has already moved into third place with more than 3,800 laps led, an extraordinary tally that continues to grow as the Dutchman adds to his already extensive F1 record.

Sebastian Vettel completes the top four with 3,501 laps led, having built the majority of that total during his dominant Red Bull years. The German won four consecutive World Championships between 2010 and 2013 and finished his career with 53 victories. Further down the list, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost occupy fifth and sixth respectively, with 2,931 and 2,683 laps led.

Even 2026 appears set to be another trophyless season for Leclerc, barring a remarkable turnaround similar to Max Verstappen’s late charge last year. With Kimi Antonelli now firmly in control of the championship and having built an 81-point lead over George Russell after the Spanish Grand Prix, the Mercedes youngster looks increasingly likely to fight for his maiden title in only his second season in Formula 1.