What Football Teams Do The Formula 1 Grid Support?

What Football Teams Do Each of the Formula 1 Drivers Support?

Football is the world's most popular sport, watched and played all across the world with numbers of those participating in the sport in some form, whether it's spectating or playing, reaching close to billions worldwide. However, Formula 1 is not far behind as one of the world's most popular sports.

The peak of motorsport has seen a big rise in popularity over the last half decade, partially thanks to Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' series, with it's drivers some of the most popular individual athletes in the world.

Many athletes across other elite sports are major fans of the beautfiul game, and the world of Formula 1 is no different. With many of the drivers on the current grid avid football supporters, which teams do they each follow?

Fernando Alonso: Real Madrid

One of Formula 1's greatest modern legends. Fernando Alonso is still very much part of the action at the age of 44, and has just begun his 23rd season in Formula 1 as he continues with Aston Martin.

But it's not just motorsport that Alonso has an avid passion for, as the Spaniard is also a strong supporter of his native country's most successful team: Real Madrid.

Alonso has been a supporter of Madrid since a young age, and stated that "All my first memories are linked with Real Madrid", as he discussed watching matches with his father.

In 2017, Alonso was named an honorary member of the club by President Florentino Perez. Where he described receiving the honour as a 'tremendous day.'

Kimi Antonelli: Bologna

From the oldest on the grid to the second-youngest, Kimi Antonelli's second season in the big time of motorsport has started well. With the 19 year-old Italian finishing 2nd in the first race of the 2026 season in Australia.

The Mercedes driver was born and raised in Bologna, and supports the city's Serie A side. Who recently saw one of the greatest moments in their recent history as they won the 2024/25 Coppa Italia and qualfiied for the UEFA Europa League. Winning their first trophy in 51 years.

Ahead of the final, Antonelli admitted he was nervous ahead of watching the match, and would have attended if it was possible for him.

As a child, Antonelli's father - who also is a passionate football fan - wanted his son to pursue playing sport, before eventually pushing him into karting after showing more talent and passion in motorsport.

Lando Norris: Bristol City

2025's Driver's World Champion, Lando Norris fulfilled years of promise and talent by winning his first driver's title during last season's campagin, becoming the first Brit to win the title since Lewis Hamilton's seventh in 2020.

However, unlike many of his fellow drivers on the 2026 grid, Norris is not an avid follower of football, despite coming from one of the world's biggest football-obessed nations.

Despite that, Norris has previously stated that even though he is not a passionate follower, he has expressed support for Bristol City. Due to being born and raised in the southern-western city of Bristol and follows his local team.

Despite that, Norris has also admitted he liked Manchester United growing up, especially due to Cristiano Ronaldo's initial spell at Old Trafford.

Charles Leclerc: AS Monaco

Monaco born and bred, Charles Leclerc was born to be a Formula 1 driver, based on his city's close ties with the sport with the Monaco Grand Prix location one of the oldest and most iconic in the sport.

However, the state's also known for it's football team, who regularly compete towards the top of the French Ligue 1 table and in the UEFA Champions League.

Leclerc is also a keen football follower, and is an avid fan of AS Monaco. Leclerc has been seen in the past attending matches of his local side, who congratulated the driver after claiming his first victory in Formula 1 in September 2019.

Max Verstappen: PSV Eindhoven

Often controversial but undeniably talented, love him or loathe him there can be no denying Max Verstappen's brilliance behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.

The Dutchman won four consecutive Driver's titles from 2021 to 2024, with Norris's 2025 title stopping Verstappen winning an incredible five in a row.

Alongside F1 though, Verstappen is an avid football fan, and has made no secret of his love for the beautiful game and the EA Sports FC (previously FIFA) video game series.

On the real-life pitch, Verstappen is a supporter of current Dutch champions PSV, with the driver expressing his support for the side many times online and in 2024 stated "PSV emotionally suits me better than say Ajax. The Amsterdam mentality is different from the Eindhoven warmth." As well as saying the inital connection with the club grew from attending matches with his father, who was invited to attend after being sponsored by club sponsor Philips during his time as a driver himself.

George Russell: Wolverhampton Wanderers

The winner of the first race of the 2026 season in Australia last week, Mercedes's work behind the scenes with their car ahead of the new season has the British driver right up near the favourite list for the title this campagin, with the team securing a 1-2 finish with their two drivers in the opening race.

Russell is the more experienced of the two at Mercedes, and just like his teammate Antonelli, Russell is a keen football follower.

Despite growing up in Norfork, Russell supports Wolverhampton Wanderers. Citing his dad as the reason behind the choice, with him saying in 2019 "My dad is a season ticket holder and comes to the games week in week out."

Russell himself admitted he has only attended a handful of games over recent years, but every time he does he gains more passionate for the Black Country side.

Carlos Sainz: Real Madrid

Just like his fellow countryman Alonso, Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr is an avid football fan, and supporter of the nation's headline side Real Madrid.

Born and raised in the capital, Sainz was always going to end up supporting one of the city's two club's, and just like many the glamour of Los Blancos saw Sainz choose the way of Real.

The Sainz family name runs deep with Real Madrid. Wth the driver's father also a keen supporter of the club, and even had trials with the side in the 1970's.

Pierre Gasly: Paris Saint-Germain

PSG are the current holders of the UEFA Champions League, lifting the trophy in Munich after defeating Inter 5-1 in a thrashing. And driver Pierre Gasly was one of many ecstatic supporters.

The Frenchman has made no secret of his love for football and the French giants, previously wearing PSG inspired helmets during races and frequently attends matches whenever possible at the Parc Des Princes.

Gasly's love for football goes beyond just PSG though, as he is also co-owner of third division side FC Versailles.

Lewis Hamilton: Arsenal

Despite having troubles at both Mercedes and Ferrari in recent years, Lewis Hamilton remains undoutbly one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history - or the greatest for many.

His seven Drivers Championships can only be matched by German legend Michael Shumacher, with the Brit even receiving a knighthood in 2021 after equalling Schumacher's title record.

Swapping the track for the pitch though, Hamilton is a long-time known follower of Arsenal. Supporting the club since the age of five, with the F1 driver stating his sister 'made' him support the Gunners. And has frequently expressed his love for the London side and legends such as Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry in the past.

Oscar Piastri: Arsenal

Just like Hamilton, Mclaren's Oscar Piastri is also seemingly a follower of the Gunners, but perhaps not quite as passionately as the Ferrari driver.

The Australian is an avid follower of Aussie Rules football and cricket, like many others in his home nation, as well as basketball, stating on his website that LeBron James is one of his sporting heroes.

However, when asked about if he supports an association football aside, Piastri admitted that whilst he wasn't necessarily a passionate follower of the sport, he stated that Arsenal is his team. Due to the fact his girlfriend's family are all strong supporters of the Gunners, stating he was an Arsenal fan 'by default.'

Franco Colapinto: Boca Juniors

Football in Buenos Aires goes far beyond sport, with the city's (and nation's) two biggest sides Boca Juniors and River Plate contesting one of the greatest sporting rivalries on the planet. With almost everyone in the Argentinian capital belonging to one of the city's football clubs, and many on one side of the Superclasico derby.

Alpine's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto is no exception. The 22 year-old is a lifelong Boca Juniors fan, has often been seen wearing Boca merchandise and has been spotted numerous times at the club's iconic La Bombonera stadium.

When Colapinto was competing in Formula 2, he even chose to wear number 12, as a tribute to the club's famous 'La Doce' fanbase, where the number 12 is a symbol.

Valtteri Bottas: Finland

Experienced driver Valtteri Bottas has been in Formula 1 for a long time, and was Lewis Hamilton's teammate for multiple successful seasons at Mercedes before his F1 return for the 2026 season.

However, unlike many on the grid. Bottas is not associated with any association football side. However, he has expressed support for the Finland national team when competing at major international tournaments.

Isack Hadjar: Paris Saint-Germain

The second (and not the last) PSG supporter on the grid, Isack Hadjar starts the 2026 Formula 1 season as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing.

It only took Isack Hadjar 14 races to get his first podium in F1 🍾

He's the 5th youngest driver in history to stand up there 👏 pic.twitter.com/h3zchRJg1e

— Autosport (@autosport) August 31, 2025

The French-Algerian driver, just like Pierre Gasly, supports PSG with the now Red Bull driver having been seen watching the 2025 UEFA Champions League final alongside Gasly and with both celebrating PSG's European glory.

Born and raised in Paris, Hadjar has had a rapid rise to Formula 1 and is one of the sports brightest talents.

Lance Stroll: N/A

Canadian driver Lance Stroll remains at Aston Martin despite controversy over his position, with his father a major shareholder in the team.

The driver however, like Bottas, is not keen on any football team and is not a follower of the sport in general.

Away from the track, Stroll instead prefers NFL, and is a keen supporter of the New York Giants, attending the Giants multiple Super Bowl appearances and regularly watching NFL fixtures when not behind the wheel.

Esteban Ocon: Paris Saint-Germain

Another Frenchman, another PSG supporter. Esteban Ocon joins both Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar as supporters of the Parisian giants.

Ocon may not be quite as passionate on the club as Gasly, but the French driver was a part of the 2022 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris alongside then teammate Fernando Alonso, helping to deliver the trophy in an Alpine Formula 1 car.

Oliver Bearman: N/A

Twenty year old Oliver Bearman is one of Formula 1's brightest stars. The London-born Haas driver left school at the age of 16 to join the Ferrari Drivers Academy in Italy, and impressed on a debut drive in the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after taking over from an ill Carlos Sainz.

Now with American team Haas, Bearman has started the 2026 season strongly, finishing 7th in the first race. However, the young driver is not currently known to be a supporter of any football team.

Liam Lawson: N/A

Football is not known as a particularly popular sport in New Zealand. The small island nation is rugby obsessed, with the All Blacks one of the most iconic sporting teams in the world.

Driver Liam Lawson hails from the nation, and is not known to be a supporter of any football team.

Sergio Perez: Club America

Sergio Perez returns to Formula 1 for the 2026 season after a year away from the sport, returning as a driver for the newly formed Cadillac team following his time at Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen.

A modern Mexican sporting icon, Perez is said to support Club America, the most popular and successful team in the country.

Ten games into the new season, Club America have somewhat struggled. Sitting eighth in the table with just four wins so far this season.

Gabriel Bortoleto: N/A

Brazil may be one of the most football obsessed nations on earth, but driver Gabriel Bortaleto has seemingly been unaffected by football fever.

The 21-year old Audi driver is fully focused on motorsport and Formula 1, citing legend Ayton Senna as his idol as he looks to replicate the former icon as a Brazilian World Champion.

 Arvid Lindblad: England

New to the grid for the 2026 season, 18 year-old Arvid Lindblad will look to impress as the sole debutant rookie from this year's lineup.

The British driver has started well in his maiden F1 season with Racing Bulls, finishing 8th in the Australian Grand Prix.

However, he is not much of a football fan, with no known connection to any team, but is known to follow the matches of the England national side.

Alexander Albon: N/A

Thailand is known for a lot of things. Formula 1 driver Alexander Albon is one of them, however football is not.

The Thai-British driver has been in F1 for six years now, and has impressed many during his stint with Williams which began in 2022.

Although, Albon reportedly has no close ties to any football team.

 Nico Hulkenberg: Germany

Nico Hulkenburg is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid for the 2026 season and made headlines last season when he finally claimed his first podium finish after 239 grand prix races at Silverstone.

Again though, 'The Hulk' as he is known does not support a particular football team, however has expressed his support in the past for his national side Germany.