what kind of music do f1 drivers listen to?

The Vibes Of The Grid: F1 Drivers’ Favorite Music

Music is magic that can transfer you into different places through time and various spaces between times. It unites people and expresses their feelings, whether a success or a defeat. Imagine, you don’t need to be in the Paddock of Formula 1, but the sounds from team boxes will remind you of the atmosphere every time you play it. The same is true for the drivers in Formula 1. For most of them, it is the way to get into the right mood before the race, while others listen to music to relax. Therefore, let’s explore the favorite music of the F1 drivers to get a few insights into their personalities. 

In 2016, COTA web officials relished the musical insight for Formula 1 fans. On the eve of the United States Grand Prix, they asked the racers about their favorite songs. After getting used to the popular drivers’ image, it was a big surprise to figure out that Sebastian Vettel, for example, is a fan of Heartland Rock, or Nico Rosberg had listened to The Beach Boys. Time goes by, and musical tastes change. 

drs in f1 explained

Who Is The Most Musicaholic Among The F1 Drivers? 

However, there are a few strong musicaholics among the current F1 drivers, but all those are musically gifted, less or more. Although, they had hidden this fact from the public until the last moment.

Classical music lover Charles Leclerc

Thus, the F1 community was shocked when Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc dropped the AUS23 (1:1) composition in 2023. Leclerc’s song was related to the Australian Grand Prix 2023 and immediately brought him music fame through social media. 

Because, when previously he played on the piano, in which he was perfect, the Interstellar soundtrack or Passacaglia by Georg Friedrich Handel and Johan Halvorsen, fans were good with it, but to play a self-composed symphony was a pretty next level. 

How is it to describe Charles Leclerc’s music? It is inspiring, reflecting, and … depressing. We find it similar vibes to the piano compositions of Yann Tiersen and Ludovico Einaudi. Overall, Leclerc’s music suits well to watching raindrops autumn on Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps with a cup of coffee, reflecting on life’s rise and falls. 

circuit spa francorchamps

Among his personal preferences, Leclerc listens to classical melodies, piano symphonies, or something filled with sense, like Coldplay, Adele, and Tom Odell. Hans Zimmer is one of Leclerc’s favorite composers, while ‘Ani Kuni’ by POLO & PAN, ‘Someone Like You’ and ‘Hello’ by Adele are some of his loved songs. 

Leclerc prefers difficult instruments and classical melodies but also plays the guitar. If you think he stopped at AUS23, you’re wrong, as, after a while, the Ferrari driver released MIA23 and MON23 compositions. Another song – another hit, and so romantic and melancholic, in its best sense, Charles Leclerc got a new million fans on his account, setting on the top of F1 drivers musicians. 

charles leclerc favorite music and songs

Counting his challenging path with Scuderia Ferrari and music talent, it is a well-deserved place. However, Charles Leclerc is not the very first F1 driver who plays Fortepiano and driving a Formula 1 car as well.

Lewis Hamilton: The F1 Champion, The Musical Artist, And The Master Of Conspiracy

Lewis Hamilton has listened to music as often as training. Considering that training is what he does most of the day, no facts are needed on how passionate about music Lewis Hamiton is. 

lewis hamilton favorite music and songs

Hamilton is a fan of hip-hop, rap, and R&B music. He listens to A$AP Rocky, Drake, Rihanna, Will Smith, Beyonce, Amerie, The Weekend, and Dua Lipa, but he likes affirmative songs by Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley. Seven-time Formula 1 champion prefers powerful compositions that charge with mood suits to the racing battle. Most of them are about rise, love, and strength. With about six public playlists, he is very popular on Spotify. 

What’s more, Hamilton is also good at music; perhaps, not so good as at the wheel of a Mercedes car, but talent gift he definitely has. Listen to Christina Aguilera’s song ‘Pipe’ released in 2018. What is that sweet voice accompanying Aguilera? It’s XNDA, or better to say, Lewis Hamilton because it is his alter ego in music. So, people had to guess who is the mysterious XNDA for two years before Hamilton admitted the fact on his Instagram account. Conspiracy, no less. 

However, the F1 champion started his musical career in 2015, after eight years with his debut. Like Charles Leclerc, Hamilton is good at playing the piano but switched to vocal singing and started rap music after a while. 

So the next question is – how successful Hamilton in music is? In fact, no one knows for sure how many albums and songs he has written and released because the truth about XNDA is just the tip of his musical achievements iceberg. The seven-time champion has kept it a secret. As for facts, it is known that he released the teaser for the new album in 2020, and he bought a mini-music studio that he travels with to races. Indeed, it was Sir Lewis Hamilton who made an appearance in the new music video for ‘Longevity Flow’ by Stormzy.

Lando Norris favorite music

Singing Lover Lando Norris

McLaren driver Lando Norris is a rising star of Formula 1. The charming F1 driver attracts the attention of the paparazzi every time, especially when he shares positive vibes by singing in time when the mood suits the best. 

That is how the rumor Norris is a good singer came in; in fact, he is not so good, but he has a voice. Therefore, Lando unleashes the singing passion when he is alone. More than singing songs, Norris likes listening to music. What’s more, he also loves playing musical instruments.

He prefers guitar and drums, which we have seen many times on his Twitch streams. Recently, a McLaren driver started DJing, thanks to his friend Martin Garrix.

‘I really love music’ – reported F1 driver to New York Magazine for their ‘Top things Norris can’t live without.’ The fact that there was no mention of video games, but Spotify’s monthly subscription was at the top, telling the most. 

As for music, Norris likes to listen to pop and hip-hop, but it also depends on his mood. The music helps him suit the right mindset, reflecting the good times and happy moments, without which he even doesn’t go into McLaren’s garage.

Therefore, he prefers energized music, preparing to race, and listens to melancholic compositions when relaxing after the event.

lando norris favorite music and songs

Perhaps their friendship with Leclerc influenced his musical taste, but Norris loves sad songs. He likes Coldplay, Harry Styles, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, and even Alan Jackson. As for Norris’ favorite songs, ‘Ceilings’ by Lizzy McAlpine, ‘Wish You The Bes’ by Lewis Capaldi, and ‘Speed of Sound’ by Coldplay, he listens the most.

It is not the secret because he has public playlists on Spotify, which published insights into Lando’s playlists.

Besides, former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel is also a musicaholic and very good at playing the guitar. He prefers rock and country music. Vettel listens to Prince, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, while ‘Born in the USA’ is one of his favorite songs. Nevertheless, he has more time to spend on his secret hobby after retiring from Formula 1. So, who knows, perhaps we will see Vettel’s band or something after a while. 

What About The Other F1 Drivers And Their Favorite Music?

However, Vettel is not the only one who chills under the sounds of the country. Daniel Ricciardo is one of country fans, while ‘The Good I’ll Do’ by Zach Bryan is his favorite song. Alongside Ryan Bingham, he also listens to electro sounds like the Petit Biscuit

F1 fans are interested in what music Ricciardo likes so much that it is one of the popular questions on Google. You don’t have to go far for the answers, as Daniel’s official website revealed his favorite songs and a few playlists. Welcome. 

As for old school, Valtteri Bottas completes the line

valtteri bottas favorite music and songs

Bottas has, in some terms, resembled musical taste with Vettel. He likes country, rock, and punk rock, which doesn’t seem like this modest guy. However, Bottas listens to The Offspring, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bruce Springsteen. ‘Born in the USA’ is one of his favorite songs.

Nevertheless, the country is not the popular music genre among F1 drivers because the following genre is more likable among racers. 

Rock Fans

Rock is the second most popular genre on the grid of Formula 1 drivers. So, alongside Vettel, Bottas, and Norris, Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll, and Fernando Alonso listening to rock music. 

lance stroll favorite music and songs

Lance Stroll loves The Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Rolling Stones. ‘Let It Bleed’ is one of his favorites. It helps him to take on the right mood, while hip-hop music prepares him well for Formula 1. Post Malone is his choice. The rest of the time, Stroll prefers classical music like Beethoven and Mozart. 

As for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fernando Alonso is their old fan. He seems so balanced on the public, but we are sure he gets pretty wild at home on the sounds of ‘Californication’ and ‘Don’t Stop,’ which are some of his favorite songs. However, Alonso is a fan of not rock only. 

f1 calendar 2022

Spanish Reggaeton and Latin Pop

Alongside RHCP and Foo Fighters, Alonso listens to pop music such as Taylor Swift and Shakira but also likes Daddy Yankee, Rosalia, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny

Spanish reggaeton is a popular music genre among F1 drivers, but not the most. Carlos Sainz Jr. is another fan. He likes Farruko, Rosalia, Don Omar and J Balvin. Besides, Sainz listens to Latin pop music, such as Shakira, Maluma, and Enrique Iglesias.

As for Latin pop overall, it is Sergio Perez’s choice. He listens to music every time before taking the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Perez likes Alejandro Fernandez, Luis Miguel, Diego Torres, and Carlos Rivera, while the last one is his favorite artist, but also his friend.  

Classic, pop, and rock are general music genres playing but still yield the leading place. Then, what type of music is the most popular to drivers listen to?  

Hip-Hop/Rap

Found yourself puzzled? We do. But the F1 drivers who like to listen to music prefer hip-hop and rap.  

Pierre Gasly favorite music and songs

So, besides Lewis Hamilton, it is Pierre Gasly who listens to P.I.M.P., Drake, and Wiz Khalifa. He trains at these sounds and chills with classic symphonies of Mozart

Mercedes driver George Russell listens to very different music but prefers hip-hop, R&B, and grime. He likes Drake, Kanye West, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran. At some point, having Lewis Hamilton as a teammate played a part in Russell’s musical taste. 

With Chinese pop, Zhou Guanyu loves rap music like KEY.L, 24k Goldn, Jackson Wang, and JJ Lin.

Different And Indifferent Musical Tastes Of The F1 Drivers

As for a different musical taste, it is Esteban Ocon only, who prefers to listen to electronic music. He is an Avicii fan.

However, Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, and Oscar Piastri are apathetic to the music. It doesn’t mean they don’t listen to music at all. Instead, they listen to pop but don’t emphasize it like Leclerc, Hamilton, or Norris. 

f1 drivers favorite music and songs

The Takeaways: Insights On The Music F1 Drivers Like

The profession of Formula 1 driver is about driving and mental health as well as physical strength and endurance. Therefore, racers like to listen to music. It helps them to maintain the right vibes and to overcome obstacles. Small wonder that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton express their feelings through self-composed songs. 

With the right sounds, it seems easier to keep constant training every day or withstand long flying every week. For this purpose, F1 drivers already have a variety of playlists with different songs. Pop is a versatile genre perfect for every occasion. So even indifferent to music, Verstappen and Albon have no against it. 

Classical music is at F1 drivers’ top. Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, and Lance Stroll prefer to relax and reflect with symphonies of Mozart, Beethoven, or Hanz Zimmer. 

Alongside classic, racers charge with the energy sounds of rock music. Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Kevin Magnussen, and Nico Hulkenberg go raging under the sounds of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rolling Stones.

However, hip-hop is the trending music on the Formula 1 grid. The secret of such popularity is it helps them exercise better. Hamilton, Russell, Stroll, Gasly, and Norris have trained, listening to hip-hop music. 

Perhaps making the insights about five years ago, rock would have won, but as we have many young drivers in F1, hip-hop rules the grid, while Drake perhaps is the number one artist that drivers to listen on repeat.