Winning a race is alright but achieving a race with a grand slam is simply magnificent!

Grand slam! Isn’t the term associated with tennis? Yes, it is, but the term grand slam is also linked with Formula One. The fans who have been following Formula One for a lengthy term are informed of what a grand slam means in F1. However, the fans who have newly commenced to watch Formula One may not be cognizant of the term. For those fans, we have drafted an overview of the term in this article. 

Before we dive into the definition of what a grand slam is, let us inform you about the drivers who have earned the greatest number of grand slams in Formula One. Jim Clack Junior holds the first position in the history of Formula One with eight grand slams. The second position with six grand slams is secured by seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton. In the third position is Alberto Ascari, who reached the F1 championship twice and had five grand slams. Sadly, the driver lost his life in an accident at 37. Along with Ascari, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher also enjoys the record of reaching five grand slams. 

Back to the grand slam, it is also called a grand chelem in the Formula One universe. A driver obtains a grand slam when he begins the race from a pole position. This means a driver needs to do well in qualifying rounds to secure a pole position. A driver must set the fastest lap record during the qualifying rounds to begin the race from the pole position. 

Beginning the race from the pole position is just the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge is the second requirement of a grand slam. A driver needs to lead every single lap in the race. Be it a race of 51 laps or 78 laps, a driver who wants to win a grand slam must lead each and every lap of a race. Not to forget, there is another requirement to win a grand slam. The driver must set the fastest lap record on a racing day. In short, there are three requirements to win a grand slam; start from pole, lead every lap and be the fastest on the race day. Pretty simple, eh? 

Before ending the article, let us inform you that Juan Manuel Fangio won the first grand slam in 1950 at the Monaco Grand Prix. Last but not least, so far, merely 25 drivers have achieved a grand slam.