F1 stat attack: Vettel and Alonso level on points

Although dramatic change to Formula 1’s scoring system since 2010 has had the effect of skewing the all-time statistics, there’s one very interesting statistic worth noting as the sport reconvenes after the summer break at Spa.

Heading into the Belgian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso are the two drivers to have scored the highest number of points during their careers.

Not only that, but both have scored the exact same number of points with 1,778.

All-time points scorers:

Pos.	Driver	Points
1=	Fernando Alonso	1778
1=	Sebastian Vettel	1778
3	Lewis Hamilton	1688
4	Michael Schumacher	1566
5	Jenson Button	1204
6	Kimi Raikkonen	1100
7	Nico Rosberg	1068.5
8	Mark Webber	1047.5
9	Felipe Massa	1024
10	Alain Prost	798.5

Alonso has taken 243 Grand Prix starts to reach that tally, versus only 149 for Vettel, but the German has collected most of his points after the change to award 25 points for a win instead of 10, as was the case prior to 2010.

Vettel’s recent win in Hungary was the 41st of his career, matching the score of three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna.

Could Hamilton beat Senna’s tally?

During the second half of the 2015 season, it will be interesting to see which of Hamilton or Vettel will be first to beat Ayrton Senna’s mark.

Despite being three race wins behind on 38, Hamilton seems to have the upper hand when it comes to matching the legendary Brazilian, having won five races in 2015 to Vettel’s two.

It also seems inevitable that Hamilton will soon move in front of Alonso and Vettel in the record books for the highest number of points scored.

The Mercedes driver has scored 1,688 points during his 158 Grands Prix, and stands just 90 points behind his two rivals.

It is also amazing to note that Michael Schumacher – who had his greatest successes at a time when race winners were awarded far less points – still lies fourth in the points standings with 1,566 points, having racked up a seemingly insurmountable total of 91 victories.