Formula 1 is the zenith of automotive performance where drivers get to push the limits of highly-strung performance cars as well as their bodies. Even when training, the drivers regularly spend several hours on the simulator on the run-up to the race weekend. It stands to reason their personal cars will be on the same level. The action and skill of the Formula 1 series understandably bleed into every area of their lives.
In fact, most drivers have to get back to the gym and prepare for their subsequent events within 48 hours of their land Grand Prix. They also have to possess a significant technical understanding of cars, so they will most probably be car enthusiasts and gravitate to particular brands. That may be from the teams they race for as the automotive brands backing them sometimes provide the racers with flagship cars as a marketing statement. Other drivers, though, prefer the obscurity of everyday life when they are not at the track. The following list shows some prolific racers and the cars they drive when they are off the clock.
10 Max Verstappen: Aston Martin Vantage
Verstappen has always been a fan of Aston Martin, considering he also owns a DB11 and DBS Superleggera. It may also have something to do with the fact that Aston Martin is one of Red Bull’s main sponsors. The Vantage Verstappen owns is powered by a 510 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine.
Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 can sprint to 60 miles an hour within 3.6 seconds. The Vantage combines thoroughbred performance with comfort and efficiency as the fuel economy is a modest 25 miles to the gallon.
9 Valtteri Bottas: Mercedes C63 AMG
Apart from being a Formula 1 driver for Mercedes, Bottas is also a car mechanic, meaning he is an enthusiast in the truest sense of the word. It is not surprising he went for the Mercedes C63 AMG.
The 6.2-liter V8 engine is worth 450 horsepower and is rear-wheel drive, so it is a bit of a familiar experience to his track car. The C63 is one of the most prolific AMG models due to its power and handling. The car can accelerate to 60 miles an hour within 3.9 seconds, and the top speed is 180 mph
8 Lewis Hamilton: McLaren P1
Everyone is acquainted with the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. Following his ongoing lengthy stint at Mercedes, he has acquired several supercars. Some of them are from Mercedes though the one which stands out is the P1 hypercar.
It follows because his Formula 1 debut in 2007 was for McLaren, and he retained good relations even after his exit to Mercedes. McLaren apparently designed their twin-turbo hybrid V8 for this car resulting in 903 horsepower.
7 Carlos Sainz Junior: Volkswagen Golf
Sainz comes from a family of racers, as his father was a WRC icon during the 90s and early 2000s. So it is surprising that he would have a Volkswagen Golf in the parking lot of his residence. The former McLaren driver currently drives for Ferrari, and it was thought that Sainz Jr would go for something a bit more exotic.
However, the Golf was his first car, and he indicated that he still has it, even after purchasing a McLaren 720s. Sainz claimed that he could not ask for much more than that kind of car.
6 Fernando Alonso: Maserati GranCabrio
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is a formula 1 veteran with flair. Though the Spaniard is currently at Toyota Gazoo Racing, he previously raced for Scuderia and McLaren, so it was thought Alsonso would appropriate something Italian, and he did.
In 2010, he purchased the new dark-shaded Maserati GranCabrio. Like most flamboyant sports cars, the 4.7-liter V8 GranCabrio provided top performance to complement the craftsmanship. Alonso was also reportedly impressed by the space offered by the GranCabrio. Interestingly it is the first four-seat convertible in the history of Maserati.
5 Sebastian Vettel: Ferrari Enzo
Vettel exited from Ferrari following the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season to join Aston Martin. In his career, Vettel has collected cars from BMW-Sauber and Ferrari. Recently he decided to sell the Ferraris in his collection, including his LaFerrari, Enzo, and the F50 special series models.
It is assumed that he would take up Aston Martin models in their stead. That being said, the Enzo, which is still in use, is the most valuable in the Ferrari collection. The 6.0-liter V12 supercar has only run 1112 miles, apparently.
4 Charles Leclerc: Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
The young up and comer LeClerc received a 488 Pista Spyder as a gift from the team following more than a year of good driving for Formula 1 as the junior member. LeClerc’s debut season was flavored by a win at Ferrari’s hometown, which earned him some goodwill.
The 488 Pista is a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 capable of 710 horsepower. His specific model has personal touches, such as the race number on the B-pillar. LeClerc’s signature is also embroidered between the seats within the interior.
3 Kimi Raikkonen: Fiat 500 Plus
Following his win in 2007, Kimi was provided with a specially designed Fiat 500X courtesy of Ferrari. Though it may not be the first thing people think about when it comes to Formula 1, the two-door hatchback is quite popular because of its good handling and compact size.
It came available in two different diesel engine options, and the power was set at 95 horsepower. That only allows it to make 60 miles an hour in 10.7 seconds. However, it is a safe bet that the Fiat Raikkonen got from Ferrari was slightly more modified.
2 Daniel Ricciardo: McLaren 675LT
Ricciardo is a Formula 1 veteran, having raced for Red Bull, Renault, and McLaren. The Australian racing driver has been a key figure in the sport for years and has a taste for fast cars. His recent tour probably encouraged him to purchase the sporty McLaren 675LT.
The LT stands for Longtail after the moniker meant to keep the Formula 1 team competitive during the 90s. The 675LT has an excellent reputation backed by its 3.8-liter twin-turbo and its 0 to 60 acceleration of 2.9 seconds.
1 Nico Rosberg: Mercedes Benz 300SL
Nico has the one Formula 1 title to his name after racing for Mercedes, so it is not surprising that one of his prized cars is a Benz. It is intriguing, though, that he went for the classic Pagoda 300SL. It is a bit modern for its age because of the gullwing doors and coupe body.
The SL has a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and is claimed to be the first race-tuned production supercar to be able to hit 160 miles per hour during a time when 100 was optimistic. In a sense, the SL is the ancestor of the supercar era.