The 2023 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix is taking place this weekend in the Magic City, and we’re rounding up every must-know driver on the circuit this season. Get to know more about the most accomplished and intriguing race car drivers to take the track before you cheer them on in Miami.
LEWIS HAMILTON
With seven Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship titles to his name, British racing star Lewis Hamilton is currently competing for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team. The 38-year-old took home his first championship win in his second year of racing in the top flight in 2008. Now, Hamilton holds a joint record of wins with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton missed out on a record- breaking eighth win after a nail-biting and controversial conclusion to the 2021 F1 season in Abu Dhabi, when Max Verstappen took home the title for the first time.
Off the track, Hamilton revved up the fashion industry through collaborations with brands like Tommy Hilfiger. He’s also earned an impressive number of other accolades too, including being made MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2009 by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Hamilton was later included in the Queen’s New Year Honours List and received knighthood from King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) at Windsor Castle in 2021, thanks to his contributions to the racing industry.
As the first Black driver in Formula 1, the pro founded the Hamilton Commission in 2020 alongside The Royal Academy of Engineering to improve representation of the Black community in U.K. motorsports beyond the driver pool. Hamilton is fighting for more diversity for those working in the garage, as well as engineers in the factories. After accumulating data and research, the commission published its official report on the matter in 2021.
“I am proud to have published The Hamilton Commission report, Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport, alongside The Royal Academy of Engineering,” Hamilton said in a statement. “Through this report, I feel that we have a clearer understanding of what is preventing the motorsport industry from being truly representative. I am committed to turning these recommendations into action and making real, lasting change for the better.”
He’s spreading his love of racing to a wider audience with two new projects. Hamilton’s production company Dawn Apollo Films and Apple Original Films are working on a movie directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and starring none other than Brad Pitt as a former driver who returns to the sport.
“I have such high hopes for it,” Hamilton said in October. “I know we’re going to make the best racing movie that’s ever existed, both visually, and we’re going to work on making sure we pull on the heartstrings of all those fans.”
Hamilton also has a documentary in the works with Apple TV+ that will highlight his cultural significance in the sport. It’s been reported there will be “full access to Hamilton and his team, on and off the track,” as well as a star-studded cast of guest interviews.
CARLOS SAINZ JR.
Spanish race car driver Carlos Sainz Jr. is currently competing in Formula 1for Scuderia Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc. The 28-year-old Madrid racing royalty is the son of Carlos Sainz Sr., a double World Rally Champion. In 2010, he began racing open-wheel cars with the Euro international team in Formula BMW Europe. After entering F1’s Bull Ring in 2015, Sainz proved to be a strong competitor, claiming both the pole position and taking home his maiden F1 win with his victory at Silverstone in 2022. Sainz just entered his third season as a Ferrari driver and signed a contract extension that will keep him on the team through 2024.
SERGIO PÉREZ
Pérez broke into F1 with Sauber in 2011 (becoming the fifth Mexican to compete in F1) and drove for McLaren, Force India and Racing Point. Today, he competes for Red Bull Racing. The 33-year-old won his first-ever F1 race at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020. He took home another win at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022, which he described as a “dream come true,” and secured his second win of the 2022 season in Singapore.
CHARLES LECLERC
The impressive 25-year-old Monte-Carlo native won the GP3 Series championship in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017. Then, Leclerc stepped up to the F1 plate in 2018 and ranked No.1 during the 2022 Formula 1 driver standings after he won the Bahrain and Australian Grand Prix. In addition to his reported $12 million salary from his team, Scuderia Ferrari, Leclerc has endorsement deals with the sunglass brand Ray-Ban and the fashion house Giorgio Armani, the latter of which enlisted the driver as a campaign spokesperson in 2020 and outfit his team.
MAX VERSTAPPEN
The Belgian-Dutch racing wunderkind is the son of racing drivers Jos Verstappen, who also competed in Formula 1, and Sophie Kumpen. At 17, he became the youngest F1 driver in history to start a World Championship race when he debuted at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. Now, Verstappen, 25, was the 2021 and 2022 Formula 1 World Champion and can’t picture life any other way. “When I was little, my goal was F1 and, so far, it has been pretty good. I can’t complain,” said the pro, now in his ninth season and driving with Red Bull Racing. “This is what I have done my whole life. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
FERNANDO ALONSO
The Spanish race car driver made quite the habit of breaking records in his early career. At one point, Fernando Alonso was F1’s youngest pole sitter, race winner, world champion and double world champion while on the Renault team (he won the World Drivers’ Championship in both 2005 and 2006). After a two- year hiatus, Alonso returned with Alpine in 2021 before signing a multi-year deal with Aston Martin for 2023. Alonso recently earned a spot on the podium coming in third place at the Australian Grand Prix in April. He said he experienced a “rollercoaster of emotions” and he’s shooting for “higher up on the podium” at his next race.
Read the new GRAZIA Gazette: F1 edition:
