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Autosport Retro

Telling the forgotten stories and unearthing the hidden gems from years gone by.

It feels like our series on the top Formula 1 drivers of each keeps decade gets harder. More races and drivers make the selection tougher and the 1970s is no exception. 

As usual, we’ve considered many factors, including level of success, machinery at their disposal, longevity and how highly the drivers were rated by their contemporaries. Success outside the relevant decade is not considered. 

Perhaps the greatest absentee in this list is four-time 1970s GP winner Gilles Villeneuve. He was undoubtedly one of the best drivers by the end of the decade but was only just getting into his stride as the 1970s came to an end – be sure to check out our upcoming 1980s list if you’re a fan of the great French-Canadian… 

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About this video
Duration
50:39
Posted
May 27, 2026
Series
Formula 1