This page references the various known nicknames for Formula 1 drivers over the years, as well as explanations on their origins when possible.
Name | Nickname | Description |
---|---|---|
Jean Alesi | "Jean D'Avignon" | Given by french F1 fans in reference to the town of Avignon where he was born. |
Jack Brabham | "Black Jack" | Either referring to his dark hair, his driving style or his discreet personality. |
Vittorio Brambilla | "The Monza Gorilla" | Referring to his agressive style, manly nature and birthplace in Monza. |
David Coulthard | "DC" | Initials of his name. |
Andrea de Cesaris | "Andrea De Crasheris" | Given because of his frequent crashing through his career. |
Teo Fabi | "Droopy" | In reference to the cartoon character of the same name, given by the media due to his supposed constantly sad looking face. |
Juan Manuel Fangio | "Il Maestro" ("The Master") | Referring to his driving skills and five world championship titles. |
Giancarlo Fisichella | • "Fisico"
• "Fisi" |
Shortened forms of his last name. |
Romain Grosjean | "Phoenix" | Given after his miraculous recovery following a firey crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix. |
Maurício Gugelmin | "Big Mo'" | |
Mike Hailwood | "Mike The Bike" | Given in reference to his parallel biking career, which earned him nine world championships between 1958 and 1963. |
Nick Heidfeld | • "Computer Kid"
• "Quick Nick" |
•Originating from his Formula 3000 days. |
Denny Hulme | "The Bear" | Refering to his gruff nature and rugged features. |
James Hunt | "Hunt the Shunt" | Initially referring to his propension to crashing while driving aggressively, but the nickname stuck even after accidents became less frequent. |
Jean-Pierre Jarier | "Godasse de Plomb" ("Lead Shoe") | Given by french F1 fans because of his driving style. Jarier has stated himself that he was more of the careful kind on track. |
Robert Kubica | "Gigakubica" | Refering to a series of meme edits where his car is digitally altered to appear as gigantic. |
Daniil Kvyat | "Torpedo" | |
Nicholas Latifi | "GOATifi" | Ironically given by the F1 community, especially after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, portraying him as the greatest driver of all time. |
Niki Lauda | • "The Rat"
• "The Computer" |
|
Kevin Magnussen | • "K-Mag"
• "Viking" |
•Shortened form of his name.
•In reference to his nordic origins and facial hair. |
Nigel Mansell | • "Il Leone" ("The Lion")
• "Our Nige" |
•Given by Italian press.
•Given by British press. |
Nikita Mazepin | "Mazespin" | Given due to his frequent habit of spinning his car out. A website named after this nickname kept track of all his spins and had a timer since he last did, but was shut down after he left the sport. |
Esteban Ocon | • "Estie Bestie"
• "Oconsistency" |
•Given by the F1 community because of his positive behavior.
•In reference to his racing consistency. |
Max Papis | "Mad Max" | Shared with Max Verstappen. |
Sergio Pérez | "Checo" | |
Ronnie Peterson | "Superswede" | Given in reference to his Swedish nationality. |
Alain Prost | • "The Professor"
• "Le Nain" ("The Midget") |
•In 2020, Prost explained on an Instagram live with french F1 commentator Julien Fébreau that he believes the name originates from the 1983 Austrian Grand Prix, when he decided to put hard tires on the left and soft tires on the right to better fit the circuit layout.
•Given at the start of his career by francophone drivers due to his short height. |
Kimi Räikkönen | "Iceman" | Given in reference to his Finnish origins and cold and discreet personality. |
Daniel Ricciardo | "The Honey Badger" | Given by himself, explaining that "He looks cute, but as soon as someone enters his territory he attacks mercilessly". |
Nico Rosberg | "Britney" | Given by Mark Webber at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, comparing his blonde hair to that of pop singer Britney Spears. |
Carlos Sainz, Jr. | • "Smooth Operator"
• "Chili" |
•In reference to his driving skills and the Sade song of the same name. Sainz sings it on team radio after every race win. |
Jody Scheckter | "Baby Bear" | Referring to his physical appearance as well as his first teammate, an aging Denny Hulme. |
Michael Schumacher | • "Schumi"
• "The Red Baron" • "The Kaiser" • "Regenmeister" ("Rain Master") |
•Shortened form of his last name.
•In reference to his Ferrari car from 1996 to 2006, as well as Manfred von Richthofen, a German World War 1 pilot famous for his red plane and impressive skills. •In reference to his German nationality and domination of the sport. •Referring to his skills driving under wet conditions, shared with Ayrton Senna. |
Ayrton Senna | • "Magic"
• "Rain Master" • "São Paulo Taxi Driver" |
•Earned through his notable driving skills, supposedly appeared after his first win at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix.
•Referring to his skills driving under wet conditions, shared with Michael Schumacher. •Given by Nelson Piquet. |
Raymond Sommer | "Le Sanglier des Ardennes" ("The Wild Boar of the Ardennes") | Given in reference to the Ardennes region he was born in. |
Eric van de Poele | "Tintin" | Refering to the character of the same name and his Belgian nationality. |
Jos Verstappen | • "Jos Graveltrappen"
• "Jos the Boss" |
|
Max Verstappen | • "Mad Max"
• "Super Max" • "The Flying Dutchman" |
•Shared with Max Papis.
•Referring to the Pitstop Boys song of the same name about him. •Referring to his Dutch nationality. |
Sebastian Vettel | • "Baby Schumi"
• "The Finger" •"Inspector Seb" •"Safety Seb" |
•In comparison to Michael Schumacher during his first years at Toro Rosso.
•Referring to his classic celebration involving clenching his fist and raising his index. •Referring to his tendency of inspecting cars, both his and his rivals'. •Given after an online chat with fans where he believed one of the attendees was driving while on his phone and showed concern for his safety. |
Gilles Villeneuve | "Prince of Destruction" | Given by Enzo Ferrari. |