Which watches do F1 drivers actually wear?

Borna Bošnjak

Watch sponsorships aren’t a brand new factor in motorsport, and the final couple of years have handled us to some attention-grabbing watch model and System 1 collaborations. From the times of the revolutionary advertising and marketing of Jack Heuer and the icons his work created, to Michael Schumacher’s Omega collaborations, we’re seeing an increasing number of manufacturers that aren’t usually related to motorsport coming into the fray – H. Moser & Cie. being a very attention-grabbing instance. However do the drivers really put on these watches once they’re not on the grid? And if not, do they put on a watch in any respect? I took a prolonged gander by means of the drivers’ social media profiles to see for myself.

Sponsor devoted

Whereas he will not be a shoo-in for the title this 12 months, Max Verstappen far and away the entrance runner for model loyalty in 2025. Whether or not it’s a stroll round Amsterdam or a Christmas celebration, his TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton has been getting plenty of consideration, however the Carrera is an more and more reoccurring presence, extra particularly within the 1158 CHN-tributing gold Glassbox variant.

Being the youngest driver within the line-up, a model partnership as vital because the one between IWC and Mercedes is nothing to scoff at, so it’s not stunning to see Kimi Antonelli sticking intently to the Schaffhausen model. George Russell may be very a lot the identical, partying with Danny Ric and Martin Garrix whereas sporting a stunning blue-dialled IWC Portugieser. As he talked about throughout our interview a few years again, his favorite is the Portugieser Annual Calendar, although the watch that has made probably the most appearances on his wrist in 2025 is the brand new Ingenieur. That hasn’t stopped him from delving into Tiffany-tinged Rolex waters, nonetheless.

Slightly little bit of each

Whilst you’ll generally discover Lando Norris sporting the McLaren collaborations with Richard Mille, he’s no stranger to a luxurious sports activities watch both. Although his work-provided Richard Mille is already various watch, Lando appears to be a little bit of a watch nerd, and that’s not simply because he’s “cooking” whereas sporting a rose gold Daytona. The (admittedly outdated) picture of him celebrating an anniversary sees him sporting a Royal Oak Offshore Music Version, however on an orange rubber strap. This is able to absolutely imply that, sooner or later, Lando swapped the standard blue strap that comes with the look ahead to this orange one. He’s certainly one of us! Okay, perhaps not – however it might be cool!

Talking of Richard Mille, the avant-garde model had an thrilling addition to its ambassador line-up with Lewis Hamilton. His earlier, long-standing partnership with IWC was prolific, and noticed some very particular collabs just like the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph, so you might anticipate him to be an RM man through-and-through. That’s held true to this point, however previously, he’s actually loved a Patek or two – like this Nautilus Journey Time Chronograph 5990/1R, whereas being his traditional trendy self.

His teammate Charles Leclerc has additionally been noticed with a Nautilus Journey Time on his wrist, however as somebody who has been supported by Mille from his days as a really younger driver, Leclerc normally absolutely immerses himself within the Richard Mille spirit. Whether or not it’s a sport of ping pong or some golf, he’s sported numerous iterations of the avant-garde model all through the years. A special-edition collab could also be so as.

Earlier on in his F1 days, Tsunoda usually wore the Pluto variant of the MoonSwatch, however with Tudor taking over the Racing Bulls sponsorship, he has largely worn the staff variant of the Black Bay Ceramic. Nonetheless, it additionally appears to be like like he picked up a Gerald Charles alongside the way in which, sporting it for a number of photoshoots and particular events.

Potential lovers

Pierre Gasly undoubtedly has a factor for watches. Whereas having beforehand worn a rose gold Hublot, a tourbillon-equipped TAG Heuer Carrera, and a metal Cartier Santos, he’s these days delved into Audemars Piguet. A blue-dialled Royal Oak in 41mm accompanied him to the NBA and on winter vacation, however what I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing is how far he leans into H. Moser & Cie. It’s a model that has largely been reserved for the eyes of lovers till now, however with the mainstream attraction of System 1 rising every season, it’s an excellent alternative.

One of many rookies on the grid, Ollie Bearman is absolutely unrestricted in his watch selections contemplating that Haas at present doesn’t have a watch companion. Whereas most of his time is spent sporting a Whoop band, Bearman has worn each the Uranus MoonSwatch, and its greater brother, the Speedy Professional.

It simply goes to indicate the influence the MoonSwatch had, as Tsunoda and Bearman actually weren’t the one big-time athletes choosing the Bioceramic tribute to arguably probably the most iconic watch ever made.

As Williams is one other staff with out a watch sponsor, Alex Albon is free to decide on his wristwear himself. His go to for a lot of his off-track actions, each in Japan and New York, has been the Cartier Santos. It additionally appears to be like to be the green-dialled variant – a real connoisseur’s alternative, if I do say so myself.

Whereas he’s not sporting his staff’s H. Moser, rookie Jack Doohan tends to go for a easy, metal Rolex Daytona.

And he’s not the one Antipodean with a factor for Rolex’s racing watch. Kiwi Liam Lawson has at the very least two of them – the white-dialled, ceramic-bezelled instance matching Doohan’s, in addition to one on an Oysterflex bracelet. He’s additionally worn a white-dialled chronograph on a brown leather-based strap, I’m virtually certain it’s a classic Daytona, however haven’t been capable of finding a adequate pic to verify. Oh yeah, he additionally does put on the Tudors that come as perks of the job.

In lieu of getting a sponsorship by means of the staff, Esteban Ocon took it upon himself to get a sponsored watch on his wrist. His partnership with Bianchet was introduced earlier this 12 months, although I’ve additionally noticed him sporting a Tiffany blue-dialled Tiffany Union for a sport of basketball.

Bare wrists

There’s a quintet of drivers that are inclined to go bare-wristed until they’re sporting their staff watch, these being Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and Lance Stroll. With Piastri and Bortoleto partnering drivers who clearly have a factor for watches – particularly the latter – I can solely hope a few of their horological affect rubs off. However there’s one driver that goes past that, and that’s Fernando Alonso. Though his Aston Martin staff has a partnership with Girard-Perregaux, you’d be hard-pressed to seek out him really sporting one of many staff watches, even in press conferences and official photoshoots. Fernando does what Fernando desires.

The licensed WIS, and honourable mentions

There’s one driver that stands head and shoulders above the remaining by way of his watch assortment – at the very least one which he’s glad to share. Whilst you won’t have the ability to say the identical about his Sauber this 12 months, Nico Hulkenberg is taking advantage of his staff missing a watch sponsor. Highlights embody rose gold Royal Oaks and brightly colored Offshores, with a little bit of Nautilus thrown into the combination, too. However his favorite appears to be the rose gold Daytona on a black Oysterflex bracelet. I’m not stunned – that’s one hell of a watch.

And although they’re not on the grid week-in-week-out, I wished to shout out two different drivers. I’m virtually sure Daniel Ricciardo is a watch man. Although his F1 return with Racing Bulls didn’t precisely go to plan, his wrist sport continues to be sturdy. The Aussie continues having fun with his intensive Patek Philippe assortment which features a 5271P, 5711 Ruby, 5164R… Oh, he’s additionally an AP fan, not too long ago sporting a fiftieth Anniversary Jumbo in yellow gold.

Final, however actually not least, is my favorite driver and watch model team-up on the grid. It comes courtesy of honorary Australian Valtteri Bottas, and Finnish model Sarpaneva. Positive, the Finn is a reserve driver for Mercedes this 12 months, however his Sarpaneva collabs are nonetheless price sharing. The 2 have collaborated on a number of items, the good of which needs to be the Kilpisjärvi. A restricted version of 17 items, it tributes the northern lights in signature Sarpaneva lume. For these wishing for a extra reasonably priced choice, the 2 additionally launched a watch by means of Sarpaneva’s entry-level arm, S.U.F. Helsinki, aptly named the Flying Finn.