Ever wondered what car new Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton drives everyday? And what about Ferrari star driver Kimi Raikkonen? If they can handle a lightweight, 800-hp F1 race car on a road circuit, they surely want to drive exotic, super cars on the ordinary roads, right?
Well, no. Although a few drivers get caught for speeding on the highway, most of them remain pretty cool in their everyday driving. British driver James Hunt, the 1977 World Champion, never went faster than 110 km/h in his Porsche Carrera. And others do not want to drive in ordinary traffic because they don't feel safe (!). These rely in chauffeurs.
Auto123.com got in touch with their contacts within the Formula 1 teams and asked what streetcars their drivers have for everyday driving. The answers are quite stunning.
Honda F1 Team
Jenson Button: Honda S2000 and Honda Civic Hybrid
Rubens Barrichello: Honda CR-V and Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota F1 Team
Timo Glock: Lexus IS F
Jarno Trulli: has 2 Lexus LS460, one RX350, and one Landcruiser 200
Team McLaren-Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI and Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
(However, Hamilton will be given an $8m McLaren F1 car when he clinches a 3rd title)
Heikki Kovalainen: Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI and Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 CDI
Scuderia Ferrari
Kimi Raikkonen: Alfa Romeo 159
Felipe Massa: Alfa Romeo 159 and Fiat Linea
Team Renault F1
Fernando Alonso: Renault Mégane Renault Sport
Nelson Piquet: Renault Mégane Renault Sport
BMW Sauber
Nick Heidfeld : BMW M3 Coupé and BMW X5 4.8i
Robert Kubica : BMW 330xi
Team Williams
Nico Rosberg : Audi RS 4
Kazuki Nakajima : Toyota Avensis Estate
F1 driver Nelson Piquet and his Renault. |
Well, no. Although a few drivers get caught for speeding on the highway, most of them remain pretty cool in their everyday driving. British driver James Hunt, the 1977 World Champion, never went faster than 110 km/h in his Porsche Carrera. And others do not want to drive in ordinary traffic because they don't feel safe (!). These rely in chauffeurs.
Auto123.com got in touch with their contacts within the Formula 1 teams and asked what streetcars their drivers have for everyday driving. The answers are quite stunning.
Honda F1 Team
Jenson Button: Honda S2000 and Honda Civic Hybrid
Rubens Barrichello: Honda CR-V and Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota F1 Team
Timo Glock: Lexus IS F
Jarno Trulli: has 2 Lexus LS460, one RX350, and one Landcruiser 200
Team McLaren-Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI and Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
(However, Hamilton will be given an $8m McLaren F1 car when he clinches a 3rd title)
Heikki Kovalainen: Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI and Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 CDI
Scuderia Ferrari
Kimi Raikkonen: Alfa Romeo 159
Felipe Massa: Alfa Romeo 159 and Fiat Linea
Team Renault F1
Fernando Alonso: Renault Mégane Renault Sport
Nelson Piquet: Renault Mégane Renault Sport
BMW Sauber
Nick Heidfeld : BMW M3 Coupé and BMW X5 4.8i
Robert Kubica : BMW 330xi
Team Williams
Nico Rosberg : Audi RS 4
Kazuki Nakajima : Toyota Avensis Estate