F1 Championship leaders
Drivers’ Championship
| # | Grand Prix | Leader | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | (GBR) Damon Hill | 4 |
| 2 | Brazil | (GBR) Damon Hill | 14 |
| 3 | Argentina | (GBR) Damon Hill | 18 |
| 4 | Europe | (GBR) Damon Hill | 11 |
| 5 | San Marino | (GBR) Damon Hill | 21 |
| 6 | Monaco | (GBR) Damon Hill | 21 |
| 7 | Spain | (GBR) Damon Hill | 17 |
| 8 | Canada | (GBR) Damon Hill | 21 |
| 9 | France | (GBR) Damon Hill | 25 |
| 10 | Britain | (GBR) Damon Hill | 15 |
| 11 | Germany | (GBR) Damon Hill | 21 |
| 12 | Hungary | (GBR) Damon Hill | 17 |
| 13 | Belgium | (GBR) Damon Hill | 13 |
| 14 | Italy | (GBR) Damon Hill | 13 |
| 15 | Portugal | (GBR) Damon Hill | 9 |
| 16 | Japan | (GBR) Damon Hill | 19 |
Notes
- The 1996 season was the tenth season, and first since 1994, in which the Drivers’ Championship was led from start to finish by the same driver.
- Damon Hill was the ninth driver and the fourth British driver to achieve this feat.
- Hill was the first British driver since Nigel Mansell in 1992 to lead the championship from start to finish.
- Hill emulated his father, Graham Hill, who also achieved this feat in 1962.
- First time as championship leader
- No driver led the championship for the first time in 1996
- Last time as championship leader
- Damon Hill
Constructors’ Championship
| # | Grand Prix | Leader | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | Williams-Renault | 12 |
| 2 | Brazil | Williams-Renault | 17 |
| 3 | Argentina | Williams-Renault | 29 |
| 4 | Europe | Williams-Renault | 39 |
| 5 | San Marino | Williams-Renault | 40 |
| 6 | Monaco | Williams-Renault | 40 |
| 7 | Spain | Williams-Renault | 34 |
| 8 | Canada | Williams-Renault | 50 |
| 9 | France | Williams-Renault | 66 |
| 10 | Britain | Williams-Renault | 70 |
| 11 | Germany | Williams-Renault | 78 |
| 12 | Hungary | Williams-Renault | 90 |
| 13 | Belgium | Williams-Renault | 94 |
| 14 | Italy | Williams-Renault | 88 |
| 15 | Portugal | Williams-Renault | 100 |
| 16 | Japan | Williams-Renault | 105 |
Notes
- The 1996 season was the twelfth season, and the first since 1992, in which the Constructors’ Championship was led from start to finish by the same constructor.
- 1996 was the third time Williams led a championship from start to finish, equaling McLaren‘s record.
- First time as championship leader
- No constructor led the championship for the first time in 1996
- Last time as championship leader
- No constructor led the championship for the last time in 1996