F1: What is a Formula 1 Grand Slam?

To achieve this feat, the driver has to be in complete control and dominate it from start to finish beginning with the qualifying.

In Formula 1, the term "Grand Slam" also called “Grand Chelem” refers to a concept that is considered incredibly difficult to achieve. In the Formula 1 Grand Slam, a driver is expected to cover the complete checklist of all the competitive events in a race weekend, i.e. winning a race after securing pole position in qualifying, leading every lap of the race, and setting the fastest lap of the race.

In other words, one can say a Formula 1 Grand Slam opportunity is achieved only when a driver dominates the entire race weekend by being the fastest in all the qualifying rounds, then leading the race from start to finish to get on the podium, and setting the fastest lap time of the race as well.

Winning a Formula 1 Grand Slam is considered a very significant accomplishment, as it not only requires both skill and consistency throughout the entire race by the driver and the team but the favour of luck as well.

The first ever Grand Slam in F1 was achieved in 1950 when Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina achieved the milestone at the Monaco GP creating a new height in the sport. 

Talking about the most number of Formula 1 Grand Slams won by a driver, English driver Jim Clark has a record eight grand slams in just three years. He finished the first of his record eight Grand Slams in Aintree in 1962 and then his last Grand Slam was at Germany’s Nurburgring in 1965 which is the major career highlight of his racing tenure.

In the modern era of F1, only 25 drivers have ever achieved a Formula 1 Grand Slam which includes the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. 

Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion has achieved two consecutive Grand Slams i.e. Singapore Grand Prix and Korean Grand Prix in 2013. Whereas Hamilton, the British legend has completed 6 Formula 1 Grand Slams, 2019 Abu Dhabi being his most recent one.

The most recent driver to do so is Max Verstappen. It was at the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, where Verstappen took the lead in every aspect and ensured a significant Grand Slam. It was the perfect race week for the flying Dutch and Redbull Team as he became the youngest F1 driver to achieve the feat of Formula 1 Grand Slam aging only 23 years and 277 days old.

With recent developments in tech and the growing reliability concerns amongst the teams like Mercedes and Ferrari, one can expect more Grand Slams to come in the coming races by the Dutch driver, as the Red Bull is in flying form lately.