The Football Fans of Formula 1

Formula 1 is not just about speed and racing – many drivers in the paddock are passionate football fans, with allegiances spanning across Europe's top leagues and beyond. As the 2026 UEFA Champions League reaches its climax with Paris Saint-Germain facing Arsenal in Budapest, several F1 drivers will be closely following the action.

Arsenal Fans: Hamilton and Piastri

Lewis Hamilton is a boyhood Arsenal fan, largely thanks to his sister's strong encouragement to support the red half of London when he was a kid. The 41-year-old Ferrari driver will be desperate for the London side to finally claim the Champions League after their heartbreaking defeat to Barcelona in the final 20 years ago.

Hamilton was delighted after the Gunners won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years earlier this month, posting "Come On You Gunners" on his Instagram story shortly after the league was secured.

In a good luck message ahead of the final, Hamilton said: "How proud I was of the team, thanking them for the memories this season, and telling them to enjoy the last game."

Another driver cheering for Arsenal is Oscar Piastri, who describes himself as an Arsenal fan "by default", as his partner's family are all supporters of the Gunners.

PSG Support: The French Trio

Paris Saint-Germain have three dedicated F1 supporters in Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Isack Hadjar. The French trio will be hoping PSG can defend their Champions League title after last year's 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan gave the Parisian club their maiden European crown.

All three French drivers attended PSG's 2-0 victory against Liverpool in the quarter-final earlier this year. Gasly, who is also a co-owner of French football club FC Versailles, watched the semi-final victory over Bayern Munich during the Barcelona race weekend before turning up on Sunday in PSG kit.

Real Madrid: Sainz and Alonso

While Real Madrid may have been knocked out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-final this season, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso have plenty to celebrate as fans of Los Blancos. Madrid are the most successful club in Champions League history, winning the competition a staggering 15 times.

Both Sainz and Alonso support the club through their fathers' influence – Carlos Sainz Senior even had trials for the team as a teenager.

Other Driver Allegiances

Nico Hulkenberg supports Bayern Munich and was in attendance at the Allianz Arena to watch PSG edge out the German side in the semi-final. Despite the heartbreak, Hulkenberg has enjoyed watching Bayern's ruthless domestic success, with the club winning a record 35th Bundesliga crown.

Arvid Lindblad and Lando Norris both support Manchester United. Lindblad, a Racing Bulls rookie, is a fan of the 13-time Premier League champions, while Norris followed the club when Cristiano Ronaldo was playing.

Charles Leclerc remains loyal to his roots, supporting AS Monaco – his local team. Monaco even completed the double over PSG this season but fell agonisingly short in the Champions League, losing 5-4 to the Parisians on aggregate.

Max Verstappen supports PSV Eindhoven, a team he frequently attended with his father Jos as a child. PSV secured their third consecutive title this year, their 27th overall.

Kimi Antonelli supports his hometown team Bologna. The Mercedes driver met the squad last year at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and enjoyed watching Bologna win the 2025 Coppa Italia.

George Russell is a long-time season ticket holder of Wolverhampton Wanderers, though the club suffered relegation to the Championship this season.

Franco Colapinto supports Boca Juniors, the famous Argentine club from Buenos Aires, who have won six Copa Libertadores titles.

Sergio Perez is a longstanding fan of Club America, one of Mexico's most successful teams with a record 16 league titles.