Watching Formulation 1 drivers tear world wide’s biggest racing circuits at breakneck tempo begs that two-part query. How do these skilled pace freaks drive on public roads—and what precisely are they driving? Do they break the sound barrier on highways and byways, too, or curiously want to drive like grandmas when not competing? A more in-depth take a look at the good automobiles pushed by at this time’s present F1 stars will greater than doubtless reply that.
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Not each F1 driver spends wads on automobiles to drive to and from the paddock, however most have at the very least one or two superb makes and fashions tucked away in their very own garages. Hold scrolling for a more in-depth take a look at the highlights of the present Formulation 1 driver lineup’s private automobile collections.
The Greatest Vehicles in F1 Drivers’ Collections
LeClerc’s present Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr previously raced for McLaren through the 2019 and 2020 seasons, so maybe it ought to come as no shock that he owns two of the British marque’s spectacular road-going supercars. A 720S may ship extra energy, however Sainz’s 600LT Spyder nails the nimble dealing with and impeccable design—to not point out the open-topped driving expertise that F1 drivers get accustomed to whereas squeezed into tiny carbon-fiber monocoque racecars.
Max Verstappen took over the F1 crown from Hamilton in 2021 after years struggling to crack into the highest place with the Pink Bull staff. Now, as your entire grid seemingly fights for second place behind his inevitable victories at each Grand Prix this 12 months, Verstappen’s private automobile assortment may simply take prime honors, too. He owns 4 Aston Martins in whole, together with the Valkyrie hypercar, plus a DB11, Vantage, and DBS Superleggera. In fact, a Porsche GT3 RS additionally slots into the secure.
Lewis Hamilton’s reign as seven-time F1 World Champion got here to an ignominious finish after a controversial security automobile restart in 2021, which can effectively have contributed to the top of his private automotive enthusiasm, too. The Mercedes driver previously owned a Pagani Zonda 760LH (which is smart given Pagani’s use of an AMG-built V12), and Hamilton’s one-of-one spec even got here with a handbook transmission. Having offered that hypercar automobile off and stowing away a Mercedes Challenge One, he says he just about solely drives a super-futuristic and all-electric Mercedes EQS—which he known as his “new dream automobile” when not on the racing circuit.
Ferrari wager early and wager massive on Charles LeClerc’s future in F1 racing, and even when that plan hasn’t fairly panned out, LeClerc’s automobile assortment instantly started to swell as soon as the paychecks began rolling in. He owns two of his personal GP-winning F1 automobiles outright, however has additionally been photographed with a Ferrari GTC4Lusso and 488 Pista Spider. A Rolls-Royce Wraith in all probability helps to clean out European roads whereas shuttling LeClerc to all these staff technique conferences, however he could need to keep away from taking his Bugatti Chiron out in his hometown of Monte Carlo after a string of unhealthy luck on the Monaco Grand Prix the previous few years.
McLaren launched Lando Norris as a check and backup driver in 2018 earlier than elevating him to a starring position as Sainz Jr’s teammate in 2019. That 12 months, Norris advised Prime Gear in regards to the McLaren engineering staff’s present of a Renault Clio RS, a sizzling hatch with the doubtful distinction of being constructed by the French agency that McLaren would proceed to ditch in favor of engines constructed by Mercedes-AMG in 2021. Norris admitted to hoping that a couple of extra wins may earn him a 600LT—maybe with some inspiration from Sainz—however since then, 9 podium finishes apparently set the stage for the addition of a 765LT Spider constructed by McLaren Particular Operations to his private storage.
George Russell joined Lewis Hamilton on the Mercedes AMG Petronas staff in 2022, however regardless of 10 podium finishes—together with a primary place at Brazil GP in his rookie season—he maintains a moderately modest automobile assortment. Brits may proudly name him an organization man, since he commonly posts footage on social media of his Mercedes-AMG GT and C63 S coupes.
When Netflix’s Formulation 1: Drive to Survive launched in the US, the laughing face of Daniel Ricciardo arguably made the best impression among the many sport’s newfound followers. Whereas Ricciardo’s himself would in all probability admit to some disappointment in his racing profession since these youth, on the very least the Aussie can take solace visiting the household ranch again dwelling the place he famously drives a Toyota Hilux pickup truck that his dad and mom purchased for him as a primary automobile.
It takes a particular form of private braveness to signal on as Max Verstappen’s teammate, however Pink Bull F1 driver Sergio Perez clearly suffers from no scarcity of perception in his personal skills. His private automobile assortment runs the gamut from a Porsche Panamera to a McLaren 720S, however a Bugatti Chiron undoubtedly serves because the jewel of the group with a price ticket doubtless effectively into the $3 million vary and an 8.0-liter W16 producing 1,500 horsepower.