Whether you’re a fan of Formula 1 racing or not, the fame that the top drivers experience cannot be denied, to the extent that their sartorial choices often make headlines.
On top of their on-track fashion reflected in sponsorships on their respective driver uniforms, the top F1 drivers also showcase their sense of style off-track. For instance, as one of the most successful race car drivers in history, Lewis Hamilton always dresses for the part by wearing luxury designer names like Valentino and streetwear brands like Off-White.
Besides clothing, accessories like sunglasses also highlight the growing connection between the respective industries of F1 racing and fashion. As the drivers’ choice of sunglasses in the paddock can easily influence the sport’s growing fanbase, various eyewear brands have tapped them up for strategic deals and collaborations, so let’s look at some of the most memorable ones below.
Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari
Possibly one of the most remarkable eyewear collaborations with F1 drivers is that of Ray-Ban with the two leading drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari team, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Long before this partnership, Ray-Ban had already built a legacy out of creating quality polarised and prescription sunglasses, along with iconic designs like the bold acetate frames of Wayfarer and Caribbean and the classic and geometric shapes of the Aviator and Round. These frames can be paired with a wide range of lens options, including authentic prescription lenses, to meet any wearer’s vision and style needs.
But in 2022’s Scuderia Ferrari collection, Ray-Ban tapped up Sainz and Leclerc to each customise a pair of limited-edition sunglasses. Sainz injected new life into the timeless Clubmaster shape through black wing brows that represent the Scuderia Ferrari race car, F1-75, and yellow temple grips and nose pads to reference Ferrari’s shield logo and Spain’s flag. Meanwhile, Leclerc updated a classic pair of sporty racing frames for a Monaco GP debut, featuring deep, refined rims and brown gradient lenses. Prior to this, Ray-Ban also had a campaign with other Ferrari drivers, like Sebastien Vettel.
Although no longer affiliated with Ferrari since 2021, Vettel remains one of the most beloved names in men’s elite racing. As such, his previous partnership with Ray-Ban underscores the eyewear label’s dedication to representing the cream of the crop.
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Oakley x Aston Martin
Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is another heritage sunglasses brand famous for its outdoor-oriented eyewear. With regards to men’s sunglasses, Oakley is known for its game-changing design and manufacturing features. These include its iconic wraparound arms, O logos, lightweight yet durable O Matter material, and Three-Point-Fit tech. Thanks to these style and performance-enhancing elements, the brand has launched successful partnerships for its products across a diverse range of sports, like the NFL, Pro Tour Cycling, and, of course, racing.
In 2021, Oakley returned to Grand Prix racing for the first time since 2016 through its technical supply partnership with British Car manufacturer Aston Martin. The collaboration signalled the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One team’s growing portfolio of luxury goods partnerships and deals while also providing Oakley an opportunity to showcase its innovative sporting equipment and lifestyle goods, including sunglasses, eyeglasses, safety glasses, and goggles.
SunGod Eyewear x McLaren
Meanwhile, the most recent partnership on this list is between F1 British driver Lando Norris and British performance eyewear brand SunGod. Ahead of the 2023 British Grand Prix, the 23-year-old official driver for McLaren launched his own line for the team’s eyewear sponsor.
The eyewear collaboration features the Lando Zephyrs, which Norris co-designed and offers a refreshing take on the best-selling, ultra-lightweight Silverstone Zephyrs. The Lando Zephyrs have 8KO Chrome lenses, an LN4 lens engraving, and a custom Neon logo to represent this latest addition to the SunGod x McLaren partnership collection.
Overall, these deals and collaborations represent F1’s far-reaching impact, which extends beyond the track to the eyewear and fashion industry.
