IN THE GARAGE OF AN F1 DRIVER: WHAT CARS DO FORMULA …
The glamour of Formula 1[1] returns to the UK next month (9 July) as drivers prepare for one of the most hotly-anticipated events in the sporting calendar – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc will all converge at the iconic track in a bid to take victory. But, as they get ready to warm up their finely-tuned machines, one question may rumble in people’s minds: what common road vehicles do racers drive when they’re not going wheel-to-wheel on the track?
cinch[2], the leading online car marketplace, has looked at some of the cars F1 stars own and drive when away from the circuit.
Lewis Hamilton
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has a penchant for electric cars.
He follows a plant-based diet and has even sold his private jet due to worries about its negative impact on the environment. So, it’s no wonder that – when away from the circuits – he only hits the road in green, all-electric vehicles.
Hamilton may indeed own a wide collection of exotic cars such as a McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari and Pagani Zonda 760, but they’re all silently parked in his garage. Instead, the British racer normally opts to drive his Mercedes ECQ, a slick electric model that helps him keep his carbon footprint in check.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen, who triumphed both in 2021 and 2022 and holds a commanding lead so far in the 2023 season, is the youngest race-winner in the history of Formula 1.
To celebrate the start of his career, the Dutch-Belgian star treated himself to a couple of mesmerising Ferraris over the years, including a Ferrari Monza SP2 and an SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano. Not all of his cars are as expensive as these iconic models, however.
In fact, Verstappen is also the proud owner of a yellow Renault Clio – a gift from his parents when he was only 17 years old.
Lando Norris
Born in 1999, Lando Norris is an exciting prospect in the world of Formula One and is the youngest-ever British F1 driver.
Norris has already amassed a fleet of incredible cars, featuring luxurious models such as the Lamborghini Aventador and the Rolls-Royce Wraith.
The British star has also a soft spot for Audis, and understandably so – who can say no to an Audi A1 or an Audi Q3? Lando, specifically, has his very own Audi Q8, one of the highest-tech SUVs on the market.
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz, who signed for Ferrari in 2021 and has recently extended his contract until 2024, is admired by fans worldwide for his consistency and dedication.
Flying low in the early stages of his career, Sainz has only just started adding striking sports cars to his collection. At the start of the year, he bought a tailor-made Ferrari 812 Competizione, which uses the brand’s iconic V12 engine to produce 830bhp.
But before the pricey purchase, the Spaniard would only ever jump behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf GTI. This was a well-cherished present he received from his parents when he turned 18.
Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc is another F1 driver with an exciting career trajectory. Having entered Formula One with Alfa Romeo, he’s been part of the Scuderia Ferrari ever since 2019.
Like many of his colleagues, he has a large number of stunning cars in his garage. But unlike many fellow F1 aces, he regularly drives them out in publicooo.
For example, he’s often seen cruising around his hometown in a customised Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, emblazoned with a red-and-white stripe to recall his Monegasque origins.
When he wants to tone things down, Leclerc can also be seen in a Land Rover Discovery – which isn’t too bad for a more practical alternative!
George Russell
George Russell partners Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and is one of the most talented British racers on the scene.
When he’s not clocking quick laps and breaking personal records on the circuit, Russell enjoys exploring the countryside with more versatile off-roaders, most of which are Mercedes SUVs.
He cares for them so much that, as shared on social media, he regularly washes his Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupe himself in his own backyard.