The fashion world has successfully breached the Formula 1 world at full send this season, and nowhere is that more evident than at the paddock entrance during race weekend. While Lewis Hamilton has long commanded the attention of the fashion elite, more drivers than ever are taking sartorial risks and stepping through the turnstiles in daring ensembles.
As the 2024 season comes to a close, I've rounded up 10 of my favorite driver style moments from within the paddock. I should note that these aren't necessarily the 10 best outfits, because let's be real, that would just be a listicle featuring 10 photos of Hamilton (though he does make multiple appearances in this article).
I would also like to point out a couple of noticeable absences: Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. These four drivers are generally pretty well dressed, they do a good job of accessorizing their team kits, and find unique ways to dress up items they're mandated to wear by sponsors. But when I look back on the year, none of their paddock 'fits totally blew me away, or were as surprising as some of the other entrants on this list.
Lewis Hamilton's three-day transformation in Abu Dhabi
Hamilton completed his sartorial transformation symbolizing his move from Mercedes to Ferrari over the course of three days at the final race of the season. With the help of his stylist, Eric Mcneal, the seven-time world champion stepped out in a trio of ensembles: He arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday wearing an off-white Willy Chavarria Spring 2025 ensemble, featuring intricate red stitching; Saturday, he opted for a relaxed, red and white Rick Owens-look, donning a long button-down over a distressed white vest and ultra-baggy faded trousers, along with Gucci shades; The transition was complete come Sunday's race day when he stepped out in a Ferrari-coded Dior 'fit. Hamilton, whose ambassadorship with the French fashion house was announced earlier this year, rocked a red band collar shirt with matching pants and his go-to square-framed Gucci sunglasses.
Yuki Tsunoda looks more confident than ever in Abu Dhabi
Yuki Tsunoda has always been among the fashion kings of the paddock, but 2024 was the year he truly stepped into the spotlight. The 24-year-old looked more comfortable and confident at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he arrived in an acid wash Hugo tank top and loose-fitting denim jeans fastened with a Bottega Veneta belt. He completed the look with a pair of chunky black sneakers and a silver necklace, along with a pair of dark shades.
Fans on social media likened the look to a villain from the Fast & Furious franchise (which is especially fitting, considering Tsunoda is a die-hard fan of Jason Statham) while others compared it to Michael Schumacher's infamous black tank top. Special shoutout to a few of Tsunoda's other paddock 'fits, including the embroidered skull and bones double denim, his Alpinestars Reserve moto jacket and his Girls Don't Cry cardigan.
Zhou Guanyu cuts a cool silhouette in Abu Dhabi
Zhou Guanyu has also become one of the sport's fashion icons throughout his tenure at Sauber. The Chinese driver hasn't been afraid to take risks and rock bold ensembles, and seems to have established a go-to silhouette during his past two years in the global spotlight. For his final catwalk (sorry, paddock entrance), he donned a pair of baggy trousers with a maroon bomber jacket and a white button-down. He accessorized with a pair of dark shades and two-tone maroon sneakers.
Daniel Ricciardo hints at his post-F1 future at Spa
Daniel Ricciardo has tried his hand at high-fashion through the years (see: the 2023 Met Gala) but it's clear he's most comfortable sporting a laid-back look. The Australian driver is a big fan of graphic tees — he's even produced a few of his own for his merch line (Enchante) — and for this fashion moment, opted for a hilarious shirt featuring NFL player, Josh Allen, at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Since departing the grid mid-season, Ricciardo has been laying low, making one of his only public appearances at a Bills game to support his quarterback pal. Although his post-F1 path remains unclear, it seems his sartorial choice back in July may have hinted towards a future in the American sports marketing landscape.
Esteban Ocon takes a risk at Monza
Esteban Ocon is among the drivers who typically favor the team polo-and-jeans combo when entering the paddock. So you can imagine the surprise of many fans when they witnessed the Frenchman rocking a double denim acid wash two-piece, featuring an oversized button-down and matching pants at Monza. The Alpine driver accessorized with a powder blue tee, dark shades and white sneakers with blue accents, along with his signature mega-watt smile.
Lewis Hamilton makes a statement in Miami
Unknowingly entering the paddock a few paces ahead of Hamilton is an odd experience, but that's exactly what happened to me in Miami ahead of the race. Puzzled why so many photographers were scrambling into place and assembling their gear, I turned around to find the Mercedes ace ever-so-cooly striding towards the entrance.
Audible 'wows' from the throes of onlookers seemed to indicate the world champion was wearing a particularly show-stopping ensemble, and his Gucci 'fit definitely didn't disappoint. He rocked a black two-piece, featuring tailored trousers and a low-cut tank top adorned with reflective sequins. He also accessorized with a pair of Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses, black work boots and a stack of diamond necklaces.
Valtteri Bottas honors Australian culture in Melbourne
Valtteri Bottas' inclusion in this list relates less to this one specific outfit, and more to his overall commitment to the bit throughout the season. As an Australian, I very much appreciate his 'here for the sausage sizzle' tee, because I too would do anything to be at a sausage sizzle at any given time (translation: a sausage sizzle is a BBQ where sausages are served on a slice of bread).
The thing I love about Bottas' re-brand is that he really gets it — he's taken the time to understand Australian culture, as evidenced by this black tee paired with shorts, a flat-brim cap and mid-calf socks.
George Russell travels back in time at Imola
This might come off as an odd pick for the perennially well-dressed George Russell, who seems to be capitalizing on the rise in popularity of the 'old money aesthetic' when it comes to his sartorial choices. While Hamilton's style could be described as effortlessly cool, Russell's ensembles often appear to be meticulously planned — thus, I can't imagine vintage overalls and old-school garb were on his vision board.
But, against the odds, I think he really pulls it off! The Mercedes driver has very clearly made his British-ness part of his personal brand, and this 'fit is actually very consistent with the persona he's shaping, even though it was probably a little outside of his comfort zone. It's also nice to see Russell in something other than a Tommy Hilfiger cardigan.
Lewis Hamilton teases his Dior partnership at Silverstone
Hamilton kicked off his Dior ambassadorship in style at his home grand prix at Silverstone. He wore an ensemble from the fashion house's menswear artistic director, Kim Jones, which was part of the SS25 collection. He looked chic in a white tank top tucked into a pair of tailored navy trousers, coordinated with a blue and white embroidered floral jacket.
He completed the look with a pair of brown work boots, which were also adorned with a floral design, along with a cream bag, Jacques Marie Mage aviator-style shades, an IWC watch and the best accessory of all: his dog Roscoe.
Max Verstappen shocks the paddock in Qatar
For all we know, Max Verstappen may have been born wearing a Red Bull polo shirt. So it came as a major surprise when the four-time world champion arrived in the Qatar paddock wearing something other than his team kit. Upon seeing images of Verstappen wearing an army green tee, some fans joked that they didn't realize he owned other clothes, while the official F1 account shared the snap accompanied by a 'breaking news' tag. Perhaps 2025 is the year we'll see the 27-year-old start to branch out in the wardrobe department.
