Move over football—Formula 1 is the next It girl sport of the season. Whether you started paying attention to the NFL in search of your very own Travis Kelce or you're a loyal fan of your hometown team, the 2024 Super Bowl is quickly approaching, and with it, the end of the football season. Don't mourn your losses too quickly—instead, dive into the high-speed, ultra-chic world of Formula 1 racing and immerse yourself in the racing scene's fashion, culture, and drama. 

From Formula 1 fashion icon Lewis Hamilton to internet sensation Charles Leclerc to reigning number-one driver Max Verstappen, get to know the sport's biggest stars and learn everything from their team affiliations to their favorite fashion labels. With the opening race of the 2024 Formula 1 year taking place on March 2 in Bahrain, there's still time to brush up on your knowledge of the premiere racers before the beginning of the highly-anticipated season. 

Following the release of the hugely popular Netflix docuseries Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the high-octane sport has made an impact on American culture, drawing an entirely new demographic of fans to the community and shining a spotlight on the sport's fan culture, dramatic competitive nature, and unique Formula 1 fashion style. 

If you're ready to trade in your jerseys for smart leather jackets and take the athluxury trend to the next level, step into the racing world and explore Formula 1 fashion.

Circuit-Side Style Inspiration

Characterized by sleek leather looks, chic checkerboard prints, and bold, bright colors, Formula 1 fashion is taking the world by storm. As Formula 1 racing has become more popular over the past few years and edged its way into the mainstream public eye, the F1 circuit has begun to double as a runway as well as a racing track.

Chances are, you've spotted your favorite celebrities and fashion icons on the sidelines of the track, decked out in spotlight-stealing styles like oversized sunglasses à la Rihanna or a sweeping leather trench coat as seen on Simone Ashley.  While there's no denying the thrill that comes from watching your favorite drivers speeding around the track, there's also fun to be had in putting together the perfect circuit-side outfit.

As with any athletic-inspired fashion trend, these circuit-side looks range from casual, effortlessly cool daytime styles to ultra-polished, red carpet-ready formal looks. 

Go for a classic supermodel-off-duty look and follow in EmRata's footsteps by pairing a flirty Ferarri-red corset with oversized cargo pants, or opt for Peggy Gou's chic, sophisticated Parisian look, accented by checkered Louis Vuitton trousers. Perhaps the most well-known style element of classic Formula 1 fashion is the leather racing jacket, as seen on Kendall Jenner in a casual Los Angeles street-style moment or on model Mia Regan at the F1 British Grand Prix in July 2023.

Typically characterized by contrasting stripe detailing or sponsor logos plastered on every square inch of leather, these jackets are synonymous with the racing scene and have become this season's must-have chic, sporty statement piece—perfect for declaring your newfound love for Formula 1 fashion. 

Press pause the search on your next celebrity crush, a new go-to men's fashion icon, or a record-shattering star driver—they're all to be found on the Formula 1 circuit. Get to know the sport's biggest names—known for everything from their charismatic personalities to their elevated track-side Formula 1 fashion game. 

Currently ranked as the worldwide number-one Formula 1 driver, Max Verstappen has turned heads in the Formula 1 world since 2016 when he joined the Red Bull racing team in the middle of the season. Two years later, 18-year-old Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix race, making him the youngest-ever driver to secure a Grand Prix win. The 26-year-old Belgian-Dutch racing star holds several Formula 1 records, including the most wins in a single season and the most consecutive wins. While Verstappen is often almost exclusively spotted sporting his team's gear and isn't typically celebrated as a Formula 1 fashion aficionado like several of his competitors, the driver notably wears a custom-made Tag Heuer watch and launched an exclusive clothing line in collaboration with Dutch denim brand G-Star RAW in 2019. 

Lewis Hamilton is among the most well-known F1 drivers—both for his seven world champion wins, as well as for his status as a veritable Formula 1 fashion icon. The 39-year-old British driver has recently announced his departure from the Mercedes after 11 years on the team and is set to race alongside Charles Leclerc as a Ferrari driver beginning in 2025. Hamilton has made appearances in the front row of several luxury fashion brands, including Valentino, Wales Bonner, Versace, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. The racing star has also collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger in the creation of a line reflective of his effortlessly cool personal aesthetic and his standing as a top Formula 1 driver. 

26-year-old Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc entered the F1 world in 2018 and has since made a name for himself in the racing world, boasting 30 podium finishes and five first-place wins throughout his time as a Scuderia Ferrari driver. The face of Giorgio Armani's Spring/Summer 2020 Men's Made-To-Measure campaign and an ambassador for APM, a Monaco-based luxury fashion brand, Leclerc showcases his own personal Formula 1 fashion both on and off the track.