With this year’s Formula 1 season now well under way, a new pan-European study has found that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is the most popular driver across Europe, just ahead of former world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The study, conducted by No Deposit Friend, analysed the average monthly Google searches made for each driver in various locations across Europe and scaled this against local populations (per 100k residents) to determine the most searched drivers over the last three years.
Verstappen takes the chequered flag
Dutch driver Verstappen, who took the drivers’ championship in 2021, 2022 and 2023, came out on top, with an average of 15,122 monthly Google searches across some 54 European destinations. This is 418% higher than the average across all F1 drivers (2,921).
Following closely behind was Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, with an average of 14,111 monthly searches, 7% fewer than Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ranked third, with an average of 7,265 Google searches reported each month across Europe.
As well as identifying which F1 drivers saw the most searches across Europe, the study also revealed the locations which each driver is most popular. Unsurprisingly, Max Verstappen is searched for most in Amsterdam, with an average of 3,215 monthly searches per 100k residents.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is particularly big in San Marino (which last held a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2006), with 802 searches made monthly per 100k residents, while the majority of Charles Leclerc’s support comes from Milan, with 462 searches per 100k.
The data also showed strong interest in Mick Schumacher, despite the German motorsports driver not having a presence in Formula 1 – he earned 4,593 Google searches per month, which was largely driven by him being the son of former legend Michael Schumacher.
Global appeal
“This research provides fascinating insights into the global appeal of the sport and its stars,” a spokesperson for No Deposit Friend said. “The overwhelming interest in Verstappen, particularly in Amsterdam, not only reflects his exceptional talent and success on the track but also underscores the profound impact of national pride in the realm of international motorsports.
“This data intriguingly shows how Formula 1’s blend of high-octane competition, technological innovation, and charismatic personalities continues to captivate audiences worldwide, forging a unique connection between fans and drivers that is both deeply personal and universally engaging.”
Europe’s most popular Formula 1 driver
| Driver | Average Monthly Searches per 100k |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | 15,121.8 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 14,111.0 |
| Charles Leclerc | 7,265.3 |
| Fernando Alonso | 4,874.7 |
| Lando Norris | 4,737.2 |
| Mick Schumacher | 4,592.6 |
| Daniel Ricciardo | 3,969.4 |
| Sebastian Vettel | 3,830.7 |
| George Russell | 2,935.7 |
| Pierre Gasly | 2,274.5 |
| Valtteri Bottas | 2,178.1 |
| Esteban Ocon | 1,624.9 |
| Lance Stroll | 1,608.7 |
| Kimi Raikkonen | 1,584.7 |
| Carlos Sainz Jr | 1,547.6 |
| Kevin Magnussen | 1,482.7 |
| Sergio Perez | 1,447.8 |
| Romain Grosjean | 1,338.0 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | 1,243.1 |
| Oscar Piastri | 1,144.2 |
| Nikita Mazepin | 1,065.7 |
| Robert Kubica | 705.7 |
| Nicholas Latifi | 701.0 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | 689.4 |
| Daniil Kvyat | 660.6 |
| Alexander Albon | 564.9 |
| Logan Sargeant | 550.1 |
| Antonio Giovinazzi | 472.7 |
| Zhou Guanyu | 387.3 |
