As the Hungarian Grand Prix looms closer, all eyes will be on Max Verstappen, who has been in sublime form the whole season and will be aiming to extend his unbeaten record of seven championships. But Verstappen will be facing a stiff challenge from Lewis Hamilton, who is the most successful driver at Hungaroring, winning it a record eight times. As a build-up to the event, we look at the luxurious lifestyles of some of the most prominent racers.
Lewis Hamilton
Team: Mercedes
The move to Mercedes in 2013 turned out to behave also had great affinity the watershed moment in Lewis Hamilton’s career, shooting him up to the stardom that not many in this sport have attained. The seven-time world champion is also the highest-paid driver in the history of F1. Hamilton lives in the leisurely, laidback town of Monaco, saving millions on taxes that otherwise he would have to pay in his native country.
The Mercedes man is also an astute businessman, recently making a huge profit by selling Manhattan Penthouse for $50 million. To escape the constant spotlight, Hamilton bought a luxurious villa in Geneva, a city he visits frequently. Sensing massive potential in the future of sustainable racing, Hamilton has invested millions in Extreme E electric racing.
Hamilton is currently reported to be in a relationship with Colombian pop sensation Shakira.
Max Verstappen
Team: Red Bull
As weird as it might sound, Max Verstappen is yet to own a home, currently renting a US$16 million flat in the Fontvieille district of Monaco, just miles away from his rival Lewis Hamilton’s home. The second-best-paid driver after Hamilton, Verstappen is fond of exclusive cars, watches, and watercraft.
Verstappen’s envious car collection includes as many as four Aston Martins, including a street version of one that was driven by Daniel Craig in Spectre. Valkyrie hypercar is the latest addition to his garage. The Red Bull driver recently put millions into the acquisition of his first personal jet, a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft that previously belonged to the British billionaire Richard Branson.
Charles Leclerc
Team: Scuderia Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, the rising star of the racing world, has seen not only his reputation but also his wealth steadily increase in recent years. As a proud native of Monaco, Leclerc exudes an undeniable affinity for the water. He spends his leisure time sailing the seas, most notably aboard his opulent million-dollar yacht. In 2020, he treated himself to the acquisition of the 48 DolceRiva, bestowing it with the name Monza, a tribute to his inaugural Grand Prix triumph.
Leclerc has also exhibited a fondness for British automobiles, as evidenced by his ownership of a Jaguar XF and Land Rover Discovery, each valued at around $50,000, a McLaren GT worth over $200,000, and a Rolls-Royce Wraith worth a staggering $300,000.
Daniel Ricciardo
Team: Scuderia AlphaTauri
The ex-Red Bull man is known for leading an extravagant lifestyle, though he likes to avoid the spotlight as much as possible. Like most of his F1 colleagues, Daniel Riccardio calls Monaco his home, where he owns a lavish sea-facing villa. After spending some time away from the race circuit, Ricciardo is thrilled to be back for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.
The last two years have been pretty tumultuous for him, as he was axed from McLaren after a series of ordinary performances, but his lifestyle hasn’t taken any hit. Ricciardo loves to spend his vacation in his Beverly Hills Bachelor Pad at Hollywood. He is also invested in brewery, and had teamed up with former F1 racer Jenson Button to unleash a range of craft beer in the European market.
Fernando Alonso
Team: Aston Martin
Earlier this year, the Spaniard Fernando Alonso returned to the F1 podium with Aston Martin in Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Outside the racetrack, Fernando Alonso, the acclaimed Formula One champion, revels in a splendid fleet of automobiles, indulges in opulent vacations, and engages in an array of hobbies, all made possible by his staggering fortune estimated at £202 million ($240 million). Gracing his garage is the resplendent Nissan GT-R, Ferrari 458, and Aprillia RS660 motorbike.
Alonso is reputed to possess a multitude of vacation residences dispersed throughout Europe, including locales in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Nestled near Oxford, within proximity of his former team Alpine, and conveniently less than an hour’s drive from Aston Martin’s Silverstone nucleus, his British abode serves as a haven.
The Spanish race driver publicly announced his romantic involvement with F1 television presenter Andrea Schlager, cementing a connection that sprouted through mutual admiration on social media and evolved into a meaningful partnership.
