Formula 1: Favourite football clubs of F1 drivers in 2023 grid

These athletes have not shied from showing their support to some of the most popular teams of world football.

Formula 1 (F1) drivers on the grid have a soft corner for football. Racing is their primary job, but it is only fair to assume that sometimes the drivers we adore would support and follow football, pretty much like us, as most come from a European background. You must be wondering about the F1 drivers and their preferences regarding the clubs they support. Well, wait no further.

Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz

The Spanish genes have strong footballing roots embedded in the F1 drivers. So it should come as no surprise that both the Spaniards are ardent worshippers of La Liga.

We know Carlos Sainz actively participates in plenty of sports. Like Fernando Alonso, Sainz is also a massive supporter of Real Madrid. Champions prefer champions, and both drivers have shown their affection publicly for Los Blancos. The duo equally enjoy watching the 14-time European Champions during the Champions League nights amidst their crazy schedule.

Pierre Gasly

The French driver is a Paris Saint-Germain fan. Mind you the term "fan" might be loosely used to talk about Gasly's love for the French giants. He rarely misses a game when the Ligue 1 champions are playing. If he's on duty during the race days, he keeps himself updated with the scores while focusing on driving during the race.

Since his childhood, Gasly has played football with passion. He was then friends with his current Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon, who was into go-karting. During those days, Ocon’s father suggested Gasly's parents try out their ward into karting. Soon, Gasly thrived in motorsports, leaving his promising footballing career in the rearview. We are not exaggerating when we say that, Gasly has the best footballing skills on the current grid.

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc supports his local team, AS Monaco of Ligue 1. Like Gasly, the Monégasque often enjoys participating in charitable football games. The Red and Whites stand 4th in the league, well within the qualification spots for the Europa League places.

It is an unwarranted similarity that the Ligue 1 side shares with Charles' team Ferrari, who are also red, standing 4th in the Constructors' rankings this season.

Sergio Perez

Perez has been fascinated with Iván Zamorano. Even his number on the car took inspiration from the Chilean star's jersey number. He has followed the clubs that his idol played for, like Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Now, other than his other two favourite football clubs of Perez, the team he follows the most is Liga MX side, Club América. Checo is an admirer of Lionel Messi and is friends with fellow Mexican footballer Javier Hernández, aka Chicharito.

Max Verstappen

It is well known around the paddock that the two-time Formula 1 World Champion strongly supports PSV Eindhoven. Aside from that, the Red Bull driver has also become a recent fan of Dutch-influenced Spanish giant FC Barcelona.

Presumably, because of his rapid growth, he desired to support a side that suited his profile. Barca was an ideal fit because they have basked in the glories of world football. Like many, Max is passionate about watching the sport and even playing in semi-professional football matches.

Lewis Hamilton

The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion broke the internet when he was keen to put his name in the hat for purchasing a majority stake in Chelsea. It was shocking for numerous reasons, but none more than the British driver was a supporter of Arsenal. The two London sides are proper footballing rivals, and the interest from Lewis Hamilton didn't go well with the Gunners because, in England, football is a religion.

In hindsight, we know- the 38-year-old enjoys participating in a couple of extreme sports far more than football. Hamilton loved football earlier, but his recent interests have eclipsed his former. So the lack of sentiment from a business proposition was all but understandable.