As the Formula One community marks 20 years since his untimely death this week, we uncover the key facts and figures behind the great Brazilian’s illustrious career…
Grand Prix starts: 161 (tied for 26th all-time)
Teams raced for: Four (Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams)
World championships: Three (1988, 1990, 1991)
Wins: 41 (third all-time)
Win percentage: 25.46 percent
Most wins in one season: Eight (1988)
Most consecutive wins: Four (1988, 1991)
Pole positions: 65 (second all-time)
Pole position percentage: 40.37 percent
Most pole positions in one season: 13 (1988, 1989)
Podiums: 80 (fourth all-time)
Podium percentage: 49.68 percent
Most podiums in one season: 12 (1991)
Fastest laps: 19 (tied for 13th all-time)
Fastest lap percentage: 11.8 percent
Most fastest laps in one season: Three (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989)
Laps raced: 8,219 (22nd all-time)
Laps led: 2,987 (second all-time)
Laps led percentage: 36.34 percent
First podium: 1984, Monaco
Age at first podium: 24
First win: 1985, Portugal
Age at first win: 25
Last win: 1993, Australia
Age at last win: 33
Career hat-tricks (pole, fastest lap, win): Seven (tied sixth all-time)
Career grand slams (pole, fastest lap, win, led every lap): Four (tied fourth all-time)
Records:
- Most consecutive wins at same Grand Prix (five: Monaco, 1989 –1993)
- Most wins in Monaco (six: 1987, 1989-1993)
- Most consecutive pole positions (eight: 1988 Spanish Grand Prix - 1989 US Grand Prix)
- Most pole positions at one circuit (eight: Imola)