Top 10 Most Popular Formula 1 Drivers

Introduction

Formula 1 has never had this many eyeballs on it. Between the Netflix boost, packed grandstands, and a genuinely stacked grid, the sport has turned its drivers into global celebrities, not just racers. But who actually tops the popularity charts right now?

We pulled real fan survey results and verified social media numbers to rank the most popular Formula 1 drivers currently on the grid. Some names will not surprise you. A couple of the rankings might.

Table of Contents

• Key Highlights
• What Makes an F1 Driver “Popular” Right Now
• The Top 10 Most Popular Formula 1 Drivers
• Important Statistics Table
• How These Drivers Are Ranked (Step-by-Step)
• Pros and Cons of the Leading F1 Stars
• Comparison Table: Top F1 Drivers by Popularity
• Current Trends Shaping F1 Driver Popularity
• FAQs
• References

Key Highlights (Quick Facts)

• Lewis Hamilton remains the most followed driver on the grid by a huge margin, with over 42 million Instagram followers.
• Max Verstappen topped a large-scale global fan survey conducted by Formula 1 itself, capturing 14.4% of the overall vote.
• Lando Norris ranked highest among fans under 24 and among female audiences in the same official survey.
• Charles Leclerc sits second in raw social media following, with more than 22 million Instagram followers.
• The grid expanded to 22 drivers with the arrival of Cadillac as a new constructor, bringing veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas back to full-time seats.
• Carlos Sainz carries one of the most passionate regional fanbases in the sport, driven largely by his popularity across Spain and Latin America.
• Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, remains one of the most followed veterans on the grid despite his last race win coming years ago.
• Instagram remains the dominant platform for driver fan engagement, well ahead of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Popularity in F1 is not just about who wins. Personality, relatability, and how a driver comes across off the track matter just as much as their trophy count.

What Makes an F1 Driver “Popular” Right Now

Before ranking the list, here is what actually drives a driver’s popularity today.

Social Media Following

Instagram numbers are the clearest, most trackable signal of a driver’s global reach and fan engagement.

Fan Survey Results

Formula 1 itself runs large-scale global surveys asking fans directly who their favorite drivers are, which adds a layer beyond just follower counts.

On-Track Performance and Storylines

Winning matters, but so does being part of a compelling championship battle. Drivers fighting for the title tend to see spikes in popularity regardless of the final outcome.

Personality and Relatability

Fans gravitate toward drivers who feel authentic, whether that is through humor, openness in interviews, or behind-the-scenes content.

Regional and Cultural Reach

Some drivers carry outsized popularity in specific countries or regions, which matters enormously for a genuinely global sport like Formula 1.

The Top 10 Most Popular Formula 1 Drivers

Here is our researched, no-fluff ranking of the grid’s biggest fan favorites.

1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

Hamilton remains the undisputed king of F1 popularity, with over 42 million Instagram followers, more than double the next closest driver on the grid. The seven-time world champion built his following well before F1’s recent explosion in mainstream attention, and his move to Ferrari only added another layer of storyline for fans to follow.

Beyond racing, Hamilton has built a personal brand spanning fashion, wellness, and food, which keeps him relevant to audiences who may not even follow every race weekend closely.

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Verstappen topped Formula 1’s own global fan survey with 14.4% of the overall vote, edging out younger stars despite a reputation as a divisive figure among some fans. His dominance over recent seasons, including four world championships, has made him the sport’s clearest current face on-track.

His fanbase spans far beyond the Netherlands, with particularly strong followings in the United States and Japan.

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Leclerc holds over 22 million Instagram followers, the second-highest total on the grid. Driving for Ferrari comes with a built-in global spotlight, and Leclerc has leaned into that with a likable, composed public persona that resonates strongly with fans.

He also regularly ranks near the top of fan-voted “most likable driver” lists, reflecting genuine goodwill beyond just raw follower counts.

A Formula 1 car on track during a Grand Prix weekend — driver storylines and rivalries fuel much of the sport’s growing fan engagement.

4. Lando Norris (McLaren)

Norris ranked highest among fans under 24 and among female audiences in Formula 1’s own global survey, making him arguably the sport’s fastest-rising popularity story. His open, self-deprecating humor and heavy social media presence have made him a favorite well beyond hardcore racing fans.

Even in seasons without a title, Norris has proven that popularity does not always require trophies, just genuine personality.

5. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

Sainz carries one of the most loyal regional fanbases in the sport, particularly across Spain and Latin America, contributing to his 12.4 million Instagram followers. His calm, consistent public image has made him a fan favorite regardless of which team he has driven for.

His move to Williams added a fresh storyline for fans who have followed his career through multiple team changes.

6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

Alonso remains one of the most followed veterans on the grid with nearly 8 million Instagram followers, a remarkable number considering his last race win came years ago. His longevity, competitiveness well into his forties, and history of iconic rivalries keep him firmly in fan conversations.

Many fans specifically cite his experience and resilience as reasons for their loyalty, rather than recent results alone.

Fans cheering in packed grandstands at a race weekend — driver popularity increasingly shows up in ticket sales and crowd energy, not just online numbers.

7. George Russell (Mercedes)

Russell has built a strong following of over 8 million on Instagram, helped by his consistent race-winning form and his visible role representing driver interests within the sport. His measured, articulate public presence has won him respect among both casual and hardcore fans.

As Mercedes continues rebuilding toward the front of the grid, Russell’s popularity has grown alongside the team’s on-track progress.

8. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

Perez returned to a full-time seat with Cadillac, the sport’s newest constructor, and remains hugely popular across the Americas, particularly in his native Mexico. His Instagram following sits above 8 million, reflecting a fanbase that has stayed loyal through multiple career ups and downs.

His return storyline alone generated significant buzz among fans who had followed his earlier F1 career closely.

9. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Piastri has built a following of over 6 million on Instagram, growing quickly thanks to his calm demeanor and increasingly competitive results alongside teammate Lando Norris. Australian fans in particular have rallied strongly behind him as one of the country’s biggest current sporting exports.

His dry sense of humor in interviews has also won him a dedicated following among younger fans.

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Gasly rounds out the list with roughly 6 million Instagram followers, built through years of consistent presence on the grid and a relatable, grounded public persona. French fans in particular have stayed loyal throughout his career, regardless of which team he has represented.

His willingness to speak candidly about the pressures of F1 has also resonated with fans who appreciate transparency from drivers.

Important Statistics Table

Driver	Team	Instagram Followers (approx.)	Popularity Signal
Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	42.2 million	Most followed driver on the grid
Max Verstappen	Red Bull	17.9 million	Ranked #1 in official global fan survey
Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	22.2 million	Second-highest Instagram following
Lando Norris	McLaren	11.6 million	Top choice among fans under 24
Carlos Sainz	Williams	12.4 million	Strong regional fanbase across Spain and Latin America
Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	7.9 million	Most followed veteran driver
George Russell	Mercedes	8.2 million	Rising following tied to on-track results
Sergio Perez	Cadillac	8.3 million	Major fanbase across the Americas
Oscar Piastri	McLaren	6.1 million	Fast-growing following, strong in Australia
Pierre Gasly	Alpine	6.0 million	Loyal long-term French fanbase

How These Drivers Are Ranked (Step-by-Step)

1. Pull verified social media follower counts from official driver and team accounts.
2. Cross-check with large-scale fan surveys, including Formula 1’s own official global polls.
3. Weigh recent storylines and results, since title battles and comeback stories tend to boost visibility.
4. Factor in regional popularity, since some drivers dominate specific countries far more than global averages suggest.
5. Consider personality and media presence, based on interview style and behind-the-scenes content engagement.
6. Combine all signals into a single ranking, avoiding over-reliance on any one single metric like follower count alone.

Pros and Cons of the Leading F1 Stars

Driver	Pros	Cons
Lewis Hamilton	Massive global following, strong personal brand beyond racing	Fewer recent race wins compared to his peak years
Max Verstappen	Tops official fan survey, four world championships	Can be a divisive figure among rival fanbases
Charles Leclerc	High likability scores, strong Ferrari spotlight	Has yet to win a world championship
Lando Norris	Huge appeal with younger and female fans, reigning world champion	Early-career self-doubt drew some criticism
Carlos Sainz	Passionate regional fanbase, consistent public image	Smaller global following than top names
Fernando Alonso	Incredible longevity, respected veteran status	Long gap since his last race win
George Russell	Strong articulate public presence, growing results	Following still behind the sport’s biggest stars
Sergio Perez	Loyal Latin American fanbase, strong comeback story	Career has seen significant ups and downs
Oscar Piastri	Fast-growing popularity, strong Australian following	Still building global name recognition
Pierre Gasly	Loyal long-term fanbase, relatable public persona	Smaller following compared to front-runners

Comparison Table: Top F1 Drivers by Popularity

Driver	Team	Nationality	World Championships	Known For
Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	British	7	Largest social media following in the sport
Max Verstappen	Red Bull	Dutch	4	Winning F1’s own official fan popularity survey
Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	Monegasque	0	High likability and Ferrari global spotlight
Lando Norris	McLaren	British	1	Strongest appeal among younger fans
Carlos Sainz	Williams	Spanish	0	Passionate Spanish and Latin American fanbase
Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	Spanish	2	Longevity and veteran fan loyalty
George Russell	Mercedes	British	0	Consistent form and articulate public image
Sergio Perez	Cadillac	Mexican	0	Strong Latin American fan following
Oscar Piastri	McLaren	Australian	0	Rapid rise in popularity and results
Pierre Gasly	Alpine	French	0	Loyal long-term French fanbase

Image: A driver interacting with fans in the paddock — personal connection off the track has become a major driver of popularity across the current grid.

Current Trends Shaping F1 Driver Popularity

Driver popularity in Formula 1 keeps evolving fast, and a few clear patterns stand out right now.

The Grid Just Got Bigger

The arrival of Cadillac as a new constructor expanded the field to 22 drivers, bringing back familiar faces like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas and giving fans fresh storylines to follow.

Younger Fans Are Reshaping the Rankings

Official fan surveys show a clear generational split, with younger and female audiences favoring drivers like Lando Norris, while older demographics still lean heavily toward veterans like Lewis Hamilton.

Off-Track Personality Now Matters as Much as Results

Drivers who share genuine, relatable content consistently outperform expectations in fan popularity compared to their results alone, showing how much the sport’s culture has shifted toward personality-driven fandom.

Regional Fanbases Are Becoming More Visible

Streaming numbers and social engagement increasingly reveal how dominant certain drivers are in specific countries, from Sainz and Alonso in Spain to Perez across Latin America and Piastri in Australia.

Team Storylines Boost Individual Popularity

Drivers involved in tight championship battles or major team switches tend to see real spikes in following and engagement, showing how much narrative still drives fan interest in the sport.

FAQs About the Most Popular Formula 1 Drivers

Who is the most popular F1 driver right now? By raw social media following, Lewis Hamilton leads with over 42 million Instagram followers, while Max Verstappen topped Formula 1’s own official global fan survey.

Why is Max Verstappen considered popular despite being a divisive figure? Verstappen’s sustained dominance, including four world championships, has made him the sport’s clearest current face on track, and his fanbase spans the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan strongly.

Which driver is most popular among younger fans? Lando Norris ranked highest among fans under 24 and among female audiences in Formula 1’s own official global survey.

How many drivers are currently on the F1 grid? The grid expanded to 22 drivers following the arrival of Cadillac as a new constructor, the largest field the sport has seen in recent years.

Does winning races directly determine driver popularity? Not always. Personality, relatability, and storyline involvement often matter just as much as results, as shown by drivers like Fernando Alonso remaining hugely popular despite a long gap since his last win.

Which platform do F1 drivers use most for fan engagement? Instagram remains the dominant platform across nearly the entire grid, well ahead of X and Facebook in terms of driver activity and fan following.

Are regional fanbases a big factor in driver popularity? Yes. Drivers like Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso in Spain, Sergio Perez across Latin America, and Oscar Piastri in Australia all show how strong regional loyalty can significantly boost a driver’s overall popularity.

Conclusion

Popularity in Formula 1 today is about far more than just who’s winning races. Lewis Hamilton’s global brand, Max Verstappen’s competitive dominance, and Lando Norris’s connection with younger fans all prove that personality, storyline, and authenticity now carry as much weight as trophies. With a bigger grid and more storylines than ever, this ranking is likely to keep shifting fast.

References

1. Formula 1 Official Site — New Global Fan Survey Reveals F1’s Most Popular Team and Driver
2. RacingNews365 — Lewis Hamilton Obliterates F1 Rivals in Online Battleground
3. RacingNews365 — Which F1 Drivers Have the Most Social Media Followers
4. College Sports Network — F1 Drivers Ranked Based on Popularity
5. PitDebrief — F1 Social Media Following Stats of Teams and Drivers
6. FormulaNerds — The Most Popular F1 Drivers Thrilling Fans Around the World
7. Ranker — The Most Likable F1 Drivers, Ranked by Fans
8. GiveMeSport — F1 Fans Vote and Rank Most Popular Drivers on the Grid
9. F1oversteer — Every F1 Driver’s Social Media Following Compared
10. Formula 1 Official Site — Driver Standings and Team Announcements
11. Motorsport.com — F1 Grid Changes and New Constructor Coverage
12. Autosport — Driver Fan Engagement and Social Media Analysis