There's no surprise about fast-racing sports stars also loving the thrill of the gambling world. That would be the case for some Formula 1 drivers who take time and resources to live out the thrill over and over.
And whilst you may not be seeing your favorite F1 driver at your local Casino, many have shown love for the game over time.
To that end, we're not leaving you with more questions. Here's a rundown of some notable Formula One drivers who are known to gamble now and then.
Kimi Raikkonen
Still one of the most popular F1 drivers ever, Raikkonen has had a pretty long and fulfilling career. Spanning over 20 years with several respectable records. Raikkonen's professional career ended in 2021 after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. One could say retiring had given Raikkonen more avenues to indulge in other passions. He's doing just that.
The Finnish driver is a known poker enthusiast and player. He's reportedly into several poker game variants, the likes that are widespread at modern sites like Slotier
https://slotier.com/ At one point, Raikkonen even made an appearance on the Celebrity Poker Circuit Tour.
Obviously, our one-time F1 championship winner is a lover of the poker game. Here are a few other sports stars who've made appearances on the Celebrity Poker Tour:
- Peyton Barber.
- Kenyon Drake.
- Pacman Jones.
- Prince Amukamara, etc.
Lewis Hamilton
Easily one of the most decorated F1 drivers of all time, Lewis Hamilton needs no introduction. Aside from his driving prowess, Hamilton is a man of the culture and lifestyle and isn't always behind the wheel. The Knighted professional has been seen on several accounts spending time at some of the most popular casinos in the world.
Back in 2016, Hamilton voiced his discontent on social media over the treatment he'd received at the Sky City Casino in Auckland, New Zealand. And whilst the details of his gambling exploits are not so public, for sure Hamilton's wins are not limited to F1.
Speaking of F1 wins and overlooking his self-narrated Canadian Grand Prix «worst career race», here's an index of Hamilton's biggest Grand Prix wins over the years.
| Grand Prix Edition | Car |
| 2014 Bahrain GP, Bahrain | Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid |
| 2020 Turkish GP, Istanbul Park | Mercedes W11 |
| 2018 Italian GP, Monza | Mercedes W09 |
| 2008 British Grand Prix, Silverstone | McLaren MP4-23 |
Jenson Button
Even during his active career, Button wasn't the most iconic of F1 drivers, as he didn't achieve so much. But when it comes to the conversation of which Formula One drivers love the gambling scene, Button is a spearhead. Especially with Poker games, Jenson's gambling efforts are not so covert. He reportedly spends thousands, regularly on poker and sports bets.
Jenson is yet another sports star to appear on the World Series of Poker. The tournament features modern-style poker games as obtainable at standard casino providers like Slotier Canada. Overall, Jenson, who's one in a list of prominent British F1 drivers, is one for the gambling tables. In addition, here's some other British F1 drivers to reach the top stage in recent times:
- Lando Norris.
- George Russell.
- Oliver Bearman.
Fernando Alonso
Another Formula One driver to join the league of the greats, Fernando Alonso is no new name in the driving sport. He's a consecutive two-time champion, with several accolades, competing with some of the best brands. Reserved as he may be, Alonso's knack for casino gambling couldn't have gone unnoticed.
The Spaniard has attended quite a few casino events out in the open. There's also been reports confirming that Alonso spends some of his free time on Roulette and Poker with friends. Unsurprisingly, the two-time Champion also participated in a Celebrity Poker Tournament, back in 2014, in Milan and is not new to the game.
Giancarlo Fisichella
Fisichella had a 13-year long career in the driving sport but can't be hailed as one of the greats. The former Italian F1 driver also never hid his affinity for gambling. Fisichella even signed as a poker ambassador for a famous Italian gambling provider with a license to operate offshore to regions like Canada.
Conclusion
In all, whilst
F1 drivers mostly keep their passions private enough, some gambling exploits here and there couldn't have escaped the notice of the public. However, gambling for some of these drivers isn’t strictly passion, but also some manner of endorsements. Nevertheless, we've identified some of the most famous F1 stars who enjoy the thrill of the wagering game.