Drive in Style with These F1 Racers’ Favorite Sunglasses
From courses such as Monaco to Silverstone, Las Vegas to Bahrain, drivers are seen out of their cars, lapping up the atmosphere and building up to the big race. On the sunnier courses, sunglasses are easily the favorite accessory of many F1 racers. A few racers even have commercial deals with major companies, while some teams have had sunglass company sponsors for years. See how Scuderia Ferrari has collaborated with Ray-Ban since 2016 and released two new pairs of limited-edition sunglasses in the summer of 2022. These were naturally inspired by the world of Formula 1 and donned by leading racers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the promotional materials.
If you’re hoping to mimic the fashion sense of these F1 racers, then going for their favorite frames is a good place to start. In this article, we take a look at some of the most well-known F1 racers and their most stylish sunglasses to date.
What Sets the Best Racing Sunglasses Apart
• Crystal-Clear Vision: The right lenses cut through glare, especially on high-gloss track surfaces and unpredictable weather days (think Silverstone drizzle or Bahrain’s blinding sun). Polarized options help you see every apex and nuance — essential whether you’re racing or watching from Turn 1.
• Lightweight Comfort: When race day stretches from sunrise practice sessions to dusk celebrations, the last thing anyone wants is a heavy pair pinching their nose. Lightweight, barely-there frames guarantee you’ll stay comfortable lap after lap.
• Team Spirit, Your Style: Customization isn’t just about color — it’s your chance to showcase your favorite driver, team colors, or just stand out in the crowd. Brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Police offer models tailored for trackside flair.
• Tough Enough for the Circuit: Between flying gravel, excitable fans, and the occasional drop in the team truck, race weekends can be brutal on gear. Look for frames that can handle a few knocks and still look the part on Sunday’s podium.
Lewis Hamilton and Police
In 2019, British racing legend Lewis Hamilton scored himself a deal with Italian eyewear brand Police. In his original collection, Hamilton helped create 10 different looks made up of seven different sunglasses and three prescription glasses. He claims to have been deeply involved in the process, "From developing the collection and understanding the intricacies of eyewear design to picking the materials and customization of the final product, it's been such a rewarding experience.”
The F1 racer is not particularly choosy, however, about which Police shades he dons. At the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, he chose to wear a pair of Police x Lewis Hamilton 31 SPLE13 sunglasses alongside his all-Gucci attire. In the following year, he was spotted wearing special edition sunglasses by Police at the 2022 French GP. He isn’t very loud about his own collection. However, he certainly favors sunglasses from Police above all other brands, and you can easily emulate his lavish style by choosing any pair from the Italian brand to wear on top of a designer outfit.
Customizing Your Shades to Match Your F1 Team
Personalizing your sunglasses to reflect your favorite F1 team’s colors is more than just style — it’s a statement. Whether you want Ferrari’s bold reds, Mercedes’ cool silvers, or McLaren’s papaya orange, the right pair of shades can subtly show your allegiance on race day. Some brands even offer custom engraving or colored tips for a truly bespoke paddock-ready finish.
Lance Stroll and Oakley
Aston Martin Cognizant F1 signed an iconic partnership deal with Oakley in 2021. Lance Stroll from the team's talented driver roster has since been found sporting many classic Oakley sunglasses such as the Pitchman R or the Kato. Never one to shy away from color, Stroll cheerfully greeted fans alongside DJ Khaled while donning vivid violet lenses at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2023. Here, the brand name Oakley was clearly engraved on both sides of the frames for everyone to see.
Jefferson Slack, managing commercial and marketing director at Aston Martin, explains that Oakley is "a brand with an incredible sporting heritage; one that’s also synonymous with cutting-edge performance and technical innovation – so it’s absolutely a perfect fit for the team." Anyone who’s into an athletic lifestyle can definitely find a pair of sunglasses at Oakley that suits their personal style and size.
Why Polarised Lenses Make Sense for Racers
Polarised lenses filter out harsh reflections from wet tracks, pit-lane lights, and glossy surfaces — helping both racers and fans maintain sharper contrast and visibility. Whether it’s the shimmer of Silverstone after a light drizzle or the sunlit corners of Monaco, polarised shades reduce glare, prevent headaches, and enhance clarity.
Next-Gen Lens Tech: 8KO® Performance Clarity
If you’re after the sharpest vision possible, premium 8KO® lenses take performance optics to another level. Crafted from advanced, ultra-clear materials used by F1 teams and endurance athletes (including cyclists in the Tour de France), these lenses deliver unmatched brightness and color accuracy. Where ordinary sunglasses can blur under harsh sunlight, 8KO® keeps every curve, corner, and straight razor-crisp — even through the shimmer of a sun-soaked track.
Pierre Gasly and Hawkers
French superstar Pierre Gasly is among the most well-known names in F1. He was sought out for sponsorship by Spanish eyewear brand Hawkers in 2019 and, after two years, would launch his first sunglasses collection with the company in 2021. Gasly commented that he has always been a follower of Hawkers and, with his love of fashion, considers sunglasses to be the perfect complement. “My style changes depending on the mood I'm in that day, and I wanted to bring out four models of different styles to reflect the emotions that run through me at every moment," he says.
In 2023, his loyalty to the brand continues in the form of his third collection of sunglasses released by Hawkers in February. This is made up of four limited edition models and will be on sale on the brand’s official website. Fans can grab a pair before coming to watch Gasly in his future F1 career under Alpine.
What Makes F1-Inspired Sunglasses So Durable?
Behind every sleek frame admired on the paddock lies serious engineering. F1-inspired sunglasses often use materials like memory polymers that flex instead of crack, plus multi-layer coatings that resist scratches and keep vision clear season after season. The same tech used by pit crews and drivers ensures your frames can survive drops, bumps, and even long-haul travel days.
Repairing Sunglasses: A Sustainable Choice
Instead of tossing out your favorite pair, consider repair-friendly brands that replace lenses or hinges — a small step that keeps your Ray-Bans or Oakleys out of landfills and in rotation for years. Repairing rather than replacing not only extends the lifespan of your eyewear but also cuts down on waste, helping reduce the environmental footprint of your trackside style. Whether you follow the style of Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, or any of the aforementioned F1 racers, you can definitely find the pair of shades that will allow you to express your admiration for the sport. Don’t be afraid to try out different designs, and you will be driving in style like your favorite F1 racer.
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