Gone are the days when F1 drivers could blend into the crowd. Since the Red Bull dropped into the battle to reach Mercedes and Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 has captured the world’s attention, causing one in five to know about this sport. As the key figures of Formula 1, the drivers stand out today, turning the grid into a catwalk. What do F1 drivers wear to dominate fashion and revive trends?

Once, my colleague and I were eyewitnesses to a captivating moment. We were having dinner at the cafe on the embankment near the famous hotel. It was the Friday of the race weekend when someone went jogging, and a few moments later, people recognized him as a Formula 1 driver. What did he wear? Tall and shapely, he wore a white T-shirt and Red Bull-branded shorts. What was my impression? He looked like a billionaire sportsman. The high-fashion sneakers and watches belonged to Daniel Ricciardo, who was already mobbed for an autograph. Fortunately, there were no more than 20 fans, and Daniel soon backed to business. Why was he so impressed? Because Formula 1 is more than just a job for the drivers.

Formula 1 Is More Than A Profession; It Is A Lifestyle

What do Formula 1 participants do most of the time? They race, even if it is off the track – the practice for race, so they strive for comfort. But competing in the world’s premier motorsport series also forces drivers to maintain their style even off the track, as their appearance increases Formula 1’s influence through TV and social media.

And they do.

In their everyday outfits, between races, F1 drivers wear casual, urban fashion with activewear and luxury. The secret to their style is a mix of budget and high fashion.

Therefore, their looks are simple but have flair. They might wear jeans from Levi’s, H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo or sneakers from Nike, Puma, and Adidas paired with Dior, Prada, and Lou Vuitton clothes and accessories.

Sponsor brands RayBan, Richard Mile, or teams’ merchandise often complete the F1 driver’s outfit.

What comes next is that fans follow these trends by observing the style of Formula 1 participants through social media.

Moreover, the Drive to Survive series spreads F1 driver fashion to the Formula 1 audience. So, whether traveling to the Grand Prix or just going to the store, spectators are adopting F1 trends in their outfits, even if not all of them.

What Do Drivers Wear In Formula 1?

But when the professional racer crosses the turnstile at the race track, the focus shifts to safety. Protection is paramount, and a Formula 1 driver’s workwear consists of the following:

Race Suit

Dressed in a race suit made of fire-resistant Nomex material, the driver is ready to be the fastest behind the wheel of the F1 car. Weighing less than 1kg, the suit is comfortable and features intricate layers and padding for mobility in the tight confines of the cockpit.

Helmet

There are a million and one reasons why F1 drivers cannot take a seat without a helmet. In short, it is a marvel of safety and technology.

Fireproof, waterproof, and made of ultra-strong carbon fiber, it weighs only about 5 kg but absorbs massive impacts while keeping the driver’s head and neck safe.

It is also equipped with a visor to protect the face and a drinking tube to stay hydrated during the race, while its special tear-offs guarantee the driver the best visibility while working.

HANS (Head and Neck Support)

HANS is crucial to the safety of the F1 driver. Placed under the helmet on the car, it prevents the head and neck from whipping back and forth in a crash, reducing the risk of serious injury. It saved many lives and was introduced after Julies Bianki’s fatal crash.

Gloves and Boots

Formula 1 gloves and boots provide both protection and feel at the wheel. The gloves are fire-resistant and feature padding on the palms to reduce blisters and improve grip, while the fingers are pre-curved to match the shape of the steering wheel.

Like the gloves, the F1 racing boots are made of fire-resistant material and improve the grip.

Underwear and Balaclavas

Under their suits, drivers wear fireproof underwear and balaclavas to protect their skin in case of a fire. These are made of breathable cotton and bamboo to keep the driver cool and comfortable while working.

Another necessary accessory for the F1 driver at work is the firm cap, which attracts people’s attention with the team and sponsors’ logos – essential for sponsorship promotion and brand visibility.

Down From A Mall – Straight To The Ball

When F1 drivers leave their cars, they stay in the spotlight, getting into TV and Instagram objects even after switching activities. So, they turn on their watches, earrings, and necklaces as they rush to give interviews, sign autographs, or start another practice session.

As for watches, F1 drivers wear the brands that support their teams, such as TAG Heuer. However, IWC and Richard Mille are those that every F1 driver has in their collection.

However, this is where that clothing mix comes from. You can often see an F1 driver switching to jeans but keeping a team-branded jacket or T-shirt, which is most likely Max Verstappen’s fashion style. For them, it is like going straight from the mall to the ball.

When an F1 driver leaves the team pits at the Paddock’s Club, they change into something casual.  

A Second Brief of the Motorcore

Motorcore is not a brand-new trend, but the combination of new technology, high-speed cars, and luxury gave it a second birth. The racing chic style evolved and went to the masses, resonating with a new generation of style enthusiasts, and it has become popular.

Motoсore also revived because Formula 1 as a whole brand has been dressed up in some terms fans.

This sport is also a business where companies make people aware of their stuff. Therefore, the brands promote collections through the F1 teams, while the drivers become their top models.

For example, in 2018, Tommy Hilfiger launched the Mercedes-AMG F1 x Collection – the most successful campaign, with the team’s drivers Lewis Hamilton and Geroge Russell promoting fashion T-shirts.

In 2016, the Red Bull Formula 1 team launched AlphaTauri (Toro Rosso), a fashion brand that embodies the spirit of racing through clothing.

In 2017, Spanish star driver Fernando Alonso launched his race-inspired clothing brand KIMOA, and some of the collections capture the vibes of Grands Prix.

As Formula 1 becomes more popular, more race-inspired apparel is created, while the F1 drivers, whether wearing their own or borrowed clothes, bring the trends to the masses.

The Racing Bizarre: Who Is The Most Stylish F1 Driver?

Of the twenty current F1 drivers, there are Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rule the fashion world outside of Formula 1.

How does it happen?

Fernando Alonso and George Russell

Alonso and Russell are fans of old-money style. As role models, they promote their preferred sartorial style: casual, classic clothing with athletic elements like sneakers and accessories like watches.  

Since Hugo Boss became the sponsor of Aston Martin, the team Alonso drives for, the Spaniard is often seen wearing some of the Boss jackets, which give him a mafioso look.

Russell combines casual clothes with the bright colors of the Tommy Hilfiger collections to create the best Great Gatsby-style outfits.

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is more casual, wearing oversized jeans and sweatshirts. One of his most eye-catching outfits is baggy jeans, which he pairs with luxury T-shirts, jewelry, and trendy sneakers.

Pierre Gasly

Fashion is the second passion of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who often attends fashion weeks. Gasly’s outfits maintain a sporty style, combining streetwear with high fashion through bold colors and unique patterns.

Lando Norris and Zhou Guanyu

Experts call Lando Norris a future fashion icon because of his unique style. He mixes ’90s fashion with the bright colors and layering of urban streetwear. Risky? Yes, but Norris can wear the classic shirt with urban jeans or the classic pants with a streetwear t-shirt, and it’s a perfect match. But it only works for Norris.

Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu’s outfits have similar patterns to Lewis Hamilton’s, but he is more modest and prefers street style. The unique thing about Guanyu’s outfits is that he combines everything, blending rock, K-pop, and beach fashions with casual clothes, but he looks stunning every day.

Lewis Hamilton

Since Lewis Hamilton has become the most stylish F1 driver ever, since he joined Mercedes. His outfits are always so extravagant that they can be seen on the brink of failure but always crash into memory. Whether we like it or not, Hamilton makes a strong impression. Hamilton’s fashion style is avant-garde. He blends streetwear, sports chic, and luxury, appearing in Christian Dior, Prada, and Balenciaga, making him the most prominent fashion icon.

In F1 Drivers’ Wear: How to Apply the Motorcore Fashion?

The easiest way to apply the Motorcore trend is to copy one of your favorite F1 drivers’ looks. Although their fashion choices vary widely, often depending on their style, sponsorships, and collaborations, your outfit won’t be unique. That’s why you need a capsule that reflects your F1 passion.

After estimating your outfit, choose clothes that make a strong impression, geared by your favorite team or driver. For example, individuals can wear a branded hoodie or white t-shirt and combine it with jeans and classic pants.

If you want more fashion, check out the leather pants, jackets, and massive bombers that reflect Formula 1. The massive shoes and accessories with bright racing colors, such as the F1 cars, are also the Motorcore trend, and you can use them.

But remember these two rules to avoid overdoing it.

First, less is more. If all your clothes reflect Formula 1, it will give the opposite impression and make people wonder if you are from racing. So mix it up: racing and casual styles.

Secondly, put comfort first. Given the athletic lifestyle of F1 drivers, it’s no surprise that they often prefer comfortable, functional clothing. And that is a choice for us to follow.

Finally, the key is not just to follow the fashion trend that F1 drivers are bringing to the world but to find your original style, which this post is all about.