What if they weren't in Formula 1? The alternative careers of F1 drivers

Formula 1 drivers are some of the most talented athletes in the world – but away from the cockpit, there’s a surprising mix of hobbies and passions. From music and fashion to golf, gaming, and even cooking, the grid is full of personalities who could just as easily shine in very different careers.

So, what might happen if racing suddenly disappeared? What might they do had they missed their F1 calling? We’ve taken a fun look at ten drivers and the jobs they might be doing instead...

Lewis Hamilton: fashion designer

Lewis Hamilton’s reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats is secure. He boasts seven titles, more wins and poles than anyone else, and a career spent pushing the limits. But off-track, his fashion credentials are growing just as fast.

In May 2025, Hamilton co-chaired the Met Gala, walked the red carpet in an ivory suit designed with Grace Wales Bonner, and used the event to highlight Black tailoring and identity.

In another life – or perhaps even post-F1 – you can easily imagine him in a design studio in Paris or Milan, sketching bold silhouettes, championing sustainable fabrics, and making powerful statements that go beyond the catwalk. Hamilton has spoken often about wanting to break barriers and inspire change both on and off the track – something he could do with a global fashion label.

Whether reimagining streetwear or setting the tone at Fashion Week, he’d bring the same ambition and artistry that made him a record-breaking champion in F1.

Max Verstappen: streamer

Max Verstappen is already a four-time World Champion, but he’s just as competitive when he’s sat in front of a simulator at home.

He’s taken part in high-profile events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual and the Nurburgring 24 Hours on iRacing, and has even streamed some of his sessions on Twitch, where fans get to see a different side of him that is less media pen, more gamer headset.

Without F1, you get the feeling Verstappen would be perfectly at home as a full-time streamer. He’s quick, sharp with his racecraft, and has the kind of dry humour that would keep fans hooked.

Charles Leclerc: concert pianist and composer

Charles Leclerc only taught himself piano in 2020, but just three years later he had already composed and released original pieces on Spotify and YouTube.

His tracks, including AUS23 (1:1) and MIA23 (1:2), were inspired by the atmosphere and emotions of significant Grands Prix in the 2023 season, explaining to Classic FM, “The best way I found to slow down and disconnect from the racing world was music”.

In 2024, Lelcerc took his passion a step further, releasing his “Dreamers” EP in collaboration with French pianist Sofiane Pamart.

Had he chosen music over motorsport, it’s not hard to imagine him performing in Monaco concert halls or even scoring films. The same sense of timing and precision that helps him thread his SF-25 through the streets of Monaco is visible in the way he plays his own melodies.

“It’s the one place where I can completely disconnect,” he told Tatler – though in another timeline, the piano could have been his true stage.

Lando Norris: golfer

Lando Norris has long been passionate about golf, often sharing his experiences on social media.

His enthusiasm for the sport led him to participate in the 2025 BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am in September 2025. Paired with professional golfer Matt Fitzpatrick, Norris showed off his skills alongside other sports and entertainment figures.

He has said in interviews that golf offers a unique focus and challenge, admitting to Car and Driver that he finds golf more challenging than F1.

In another universe, we could see Norris trying to convince Fitzpatrick that trick shots are a legitimate strategy while keeping the crowd entertained with his playful commentary.

Yuki Tsunoda: Michelin-star chef

Despite his ambitions in F1, Yuki Tsunoda has never hidden his love of food.

On Red Bull and Racing Bulls’ social channels, he’s often been shown cooking for his team mates, and in a Behind the Visor episode with his former team, he admitted that if he weren’t racing, he’d want to open his own Japanese restaurant, and that this is even an ambition for him post-F1.

Judging by his competitive nature, we reckon he’d probably achieve Michelin-star status in no time.

In this alternate universe, Tsunoda is a head chef at his own restaurant, commanding a busy kitchen and perfecting food with the same intensity he applies to the track, while probably using some Gordon Ramsay-esque phrases if something wasn’t up to standard!

Carlos Sainz: professional athlete (in almost anything!)

Carlos Sainz’s athletic versatility is well documented. His Instagram regularly features clips of him on the golf course, tennis court, ski slope, or on his bike, and in an interview with Marca, he said: “I feel like I have to win in whatever I do. It doesn’t matter if it’s football, tennis, or skiing.”

With his background – his father Carlos Sainz Sr is a two-time World Rally Champion – Sainz was never going to be casual about sport. This was highlighted in his win at the Netflix Cup in 2023 with golfing partner Justin Thomas.

Without F1, Sainz could have been a professional in almost any discipline. Skiing the World Cup circuit? Winning trophies for Padel? Challenging at the front of the Tour de France? All plausible.

George Russell: politician

George Russell is one of the most articulate and thoughtful communicators on the grid, and as a one of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) directors, he’s already shown he can represent his peers on safety and sporting matters with calmness, clarity, and a sense of fairness.

Those qualities would make him a natural in politics, using those same skills to deliver speeches, lead discussions, or tackle big-picture issues.

It’s the kind of role where staying composed under pressure, weighing options, and connecting with people really matters – all things he does naturally in F1.

Isack Hadjar: social media sensation

Alongside his impressive results in his first F1 season, including a brilliant podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar has built a playful social media presence along with his Racing Bulls team.

The French driver has even been praised by The Fast and the Curious as the “TikTok star of Formula 1”.

Perhaps without F1, Hadjar could be a full-time vlogger and social media star, posting funny skits and pranks, turning his everyday moments into mini adventures and laughs for his followers.

Lance Stroll: tennis player

Lance Stroll has always been a multi-sport athlete, and tennis is one of the games he’s happiest picking up away from the paddock.

In 2020 he even hit the court against former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, which isn’t something you’d attempt if you didn’t know your way around a racket. Stroll has downplayed his level in interviews, insisting he’s “not that good” – but judging by that challenge, we think the Canadian is being modest.

With his fitness, sharp reactions, and natural composure under pressure, it’s easy to imagine Stroll taking the tennis tour seriously. In another life, he might have been chasing match points instead of podiums, swapping fireproofs and chicanes for tennis whites and a baseline rally.

Alex Albon: animal shelter owner

Alex Albon's household has always included a full cast of animal characters.

His family maintain the Instagram page @albon_pets (a.k.a “The Albon Zoo”) for their 11 cats, two horses, and a dog, sharing updates about birthdays, antics, and even special hats or appearances. The pets are a big part of his life, even if much of his year is spent on the road.

If he weren’t racing, you could imagine Albon running a rescue or shelter – organising adoption days, designing special pet-friendly gear, or perhaps lobbying for more pet-friendly spaces. In another timeline, he'd be less about g-force and more about good homes and wagging tails.