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Top 10 Greatest Bromances in Formula 1 History: From Senna to Verstappen

In Formula 1 there is no time for friendship as everything happens fast. But there are also some great stories, where F1 drivers showed great respect and love.

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Venkatakrishnan
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Formula 1 is a sport where your teammate is your rival and you don't have time to enjoy friendship. Over the past, F1 teams had issues with their drivers fighting for their superiority in their teams and have split permanently. Many examples are there like Lewis Hamilton- Nico Rosberg, Ayrton Senna- Prost, Perez- Ocon, and Alonso- Hamilton where friendship didn't work well. But there are still some friendships in F1, that stand as an example of loyalty and mutual respect. Let us take a look at them.

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Greatest Bromances in Formula 1

10. Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart

The two legends in Formula 1 are the toughest rivals on the track but also shared some great times off the track. Jackie Stewart and Hill spent the most time together as teammates in BRM. Jackie even avoided his big Lotus F1 contract to spend time with Graham. The story ended when Hill lost his life in 1975 after he crashed his plane and died. 

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9.Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo

Verstappen and Ricciardo are the best driver duo for the Red Bull team since, Vettel and Webber. When the Dutch driver entered Red Bull he didn't know much about the team and Daniel was their lead driver. The Australian and the Dutchman shared great love and respect for each other despite some track incidents.

The friendship continued even after Daniel left the team in 2019 for Renault. Ricciardo came back to Red Bull and joined VCARB in 2023. He also played a crucial role in securing 1 key point for his old mate during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

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8.Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger

After Senna - Prost's relationship went toxic, McLaren replaced Prost with Gerhard Berger. The Brazilian legend was a serious guy on the track but the Austrian driver taught him to laugh. Ayrton helped him to become a better driver. 

There is a story that Berger once threw Senna’s Briefcase out of the helicopter in mid-air and put frogs inside Senna’s room in Australia. Gerhard Berger is the only guy who had more fun with Senna than any other driver during his lifetime.

7. MIka Hakkinen and David Coulthard

Never leave your team alone in the battle is a great proverb and David Coulthard is one of the teammates who never let down his teammate Mika Hakkinen. The ‘Flying Finn’ is the only driver who challenged the great Michael Schumacher in his prime during the 1998 and 1999 F1 seasons. DC and Hakkinen shared a great bond as the two joined hands in defeating the Ferrari legend in his backyard and won the F1 championship title for McLaren.

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6. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc

After Vettel’s exit in the 2020 F1 season from Ferrari Sainz joined the team as the new driver. Ferrari entered the 2021 season with a young driver duo leading them. They soon bonded very well with each other and spent many great moments.

The Spaniard is also a good teamman and helped his Monegasque friend many times during his stint with the Maranello team. Ferrari’s Tifosi enjoyed the Team bromance and always loved to see them together. It ended when ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton and replaced Sainz.

5. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen

Ferrari’s greatest teammate bromance happened between Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian vettel when both joined together and fought against the Dominant Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel tried his best to defeat Hamilton during the 2017 and 2018 Formula 1 season but some bad luck and mistakes cost him the title. But Kimi and Sebastian enjoyed the best time as teammates and they both helped each other. Vettel also played a key role in helping Kimi Raikkonen stay in ferrari. 

4. Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris

McLaren replaced Fernando Alonso and Vandoorne with Sainz and Norris in the 2019 F1 season. The two became very close after that and always spent time together during the races. McLaren’s team also had peace and Harmony as the two got along very well. It all ended when Daniel Ricciardo came to the team and replaced Sainz. But the Spanish driver still says Lando norris is the best teammate he ever had and the closest friend for him in Formula 1. 

3.Niki Lauda and James Hunt

If you have seen the Movie “The Rush’ then you would have known the rivalry between F1 legend Niki Lauda and 1976 world champion James Hunt. They both started as rivals but after lauda’s horrific fire accident in the Nurburgring, Hunt developed a great bond with Niki helping him overcome the tough times.

After winning the 1976 championship Hunt said “I felt I deserved to be the champion, but I also felt Niki deserved to win the championship, and I just wish we could have shared it.” The Austrian driver also helped his friend James hunt with all the money, when he saw him coming to a reunion in barefoot and bicycle.

2. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian vettel

The two greatest rivals in Formula 1 are even great friends off the track. Sebastian vettel and Lewis Hamilton battled hard for the championship in the 2017 and 2018 F1 seasons.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to see them together in the same team. 

But they always had Mutual respect and love for each other and in recent times it has gotten bigger when both drivers mentioned each other during interviews. Lewis credits him as his greatest friend and champion. Sebastian Vettel was the first driver who supported Lewis Hamilton for his ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in Formula 1. He always stood with Lewis and bent his knees to support the cause. The two were even criticised for taking too much political ambitions into F1. 

1.Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt

Formula 1’s greatest Bromance happened between Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt. The German driver is also the only Posthumus F1 world champion crowned after the 1970 F1 season. The two met in F2 during the 1964 season and Soon became close friends.

Even after they became Formula 1 drivers they often spend family vacations and holidays together. Their friendship also forced them to live together near Switzerland. The Press media also called the two the ‘Geneva Connection’ due to their homes in Switzerland. 

Rindt gave his full support to Jackie Stewart for his push for Safety in Formula 1 and many other drivers and FIA criticised both. It all ended in the 1970 Monza race when Rindt crashed his car heavily on the Parabolica corner and the seat belts split Rindt's throat and he was pronounced dead upon arrival. His close friend Jackie Stewart cried in the medical centre went for the qualifying set the fastest lap, came to the medical centre and started crying again. This was one infamous incident that left a big impact on Stewarts life.

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Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Ayrton Senna Sebastian Vettel F1