Trending F1 Singapore 2024 Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, And More

It’s race week in Singapore! We’ve rounded up the top five trending Formula One (F1) drivers who are ready to battle it out on Singapore’s challenging street circuit and claim their coveted spot on the podium. They’re taking over the internet, but will they dominate the track too?

We’re ready for some high-speed action! (Photo from: @f1)

1. Lewis Hamilton

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. (Photo from: @lewishamilton)

39-year-old British race car driver Lewis Hamilton is the second racer with the most wins at the Singapore Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel. Renowned for his exceptional driving skills, he has the most wins, pole positions, and podium finishes in Formula One history. He’s currently racing for the Mercedes team, but he’s set to make his Ferrari debut in 2025.

Fast facts: Outside of racing, he’s an environmentalist, social activist, fashion designer, and musician. He uses his platform to combat racism and push for diversity in motorsport.

2. Max Verstappen

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen. (Photo from: @maxverstappen1)

26-year-old Max Verstappen is a Belgian-Dutch racing driver competing for the Netherlands. At the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix 2016, he made history by becoming the youngest driver to win a Formula One race at the age of 18. He has secured three world championships. In 2023, he set the new record for the most wins ever in a season, winning 19 out of 22 races. He’s currently on the Red Bull Racing team.

Racing is in his blood. He’s the son of Jos Verstappen, a Dutch former racing driver, who competed in F1 from 1994 to 2003 and Belgian former kart racer Sophie Kumpen.

Fast facts: His teammates are in awe of his relaxed way of preparing for the races — by playing FIFA or Call of Duty.

3. Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc. (Photo from: @charles_leclerc)

26-year-old Charles Leclerc is known for his record-breaking win in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, becoming the first Monégasque driver to win the race after a 93-year drought. This became his first victory since the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix and his first victory at home. He’s currently on the Ferrari team.

Charles’ passion for racing is rooted in the memory of his late father Hervé and his friend and mentor Jules Bianchi, the F1 driver who passed away in 2015.

Fast facts: Beyond racing, he enjoys other sports including surfing and skiing. He’s also an animal lover and owns an elaborate gaming set-up for virtual racing.

4. Carlos Sainz Jr.

2023 Singapore Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz Jr. (Photo from: @carlossainz55)

30-year-old Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Spanish racing driver. In September 2023, he won the tense 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. He started karting at seven years old. He achieved his first podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and secured a multi-year contract with Ferrari.

Like Max Verstappen, racing is in his DNA. He’s the son of Carlos Sainz, a double World Rally Champion and the nephew of rally driver Antonio Sainz.

Fast facts: He’s popularly known for his two nicknames, ‘Smooth Operator’ and ‘Chili’. The first one comes from Sade’s 1984 hit Smooth Operator, which Sainz had heard during the 2019 British Grand Prix. It stuck with him and became a meme after he sang it on the radio.

For the second nickname, there is no story to tell, he’s simply called Chili, as he says in this video, but fans believe it reflects his fiery way of racing on the track.

5. Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda. (Photo from: @yukitsunoda0511)

24-year-old Yuki Tsunoda has been a Japanese driver of the Red Bull-affiliated junior team AlphaTauri — newly-named RB — team since his debut in 2021. He’s the first Japanese driver to enter Formula 1 since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014. He’s also the shortest driver on the grid, just 159CM as well as being the lightest at 54KG.

He went from racing in Japanese F4 to a Formula One seat in just over three years. Will he be the first Japanese to win a World Championship Grand Prix?

Fast facts: Outside of racing, Yuki’s a passionate foodie. He dreams of opening his restaurant someday. He also has a merchandise shop where he sells clothes, bags and accessories.