Formula One stars often have different names than you might think – whether additional first or last names: these are the full names of Formula One drivers in 2025
When you think of the current Formula 1 drivers, names like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc immediately come to mind.
But many of these stars actually have much longer and sometimes unusual names. The 2025 line-up contains a few surprises, whether it’s an additional first name or a curious name history.
Lewis Hamilton’s full name is Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, but he once considered adding his mother’s maiden name, “Larbalestier,” to his last name. He wanted to honor her family, but dropped the idea.
Why Antonelli is only called Kimi
Another interesting example is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ promising young talent. Many know him only as “Kimi” – but why?
His parents named him after Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula One world champion. Since this first name has always been his trademark, Antonelli himself is almost never called by his actual first name, “Andrea.”
Carlos Sainz also has a full name that is significantly longer than the one by which he is commonly known: Carlos Sainz Vazquez de Castro – although the last part is a common suffix in Spain, taken from the mother’s surname.
How many first names are there?
Other drivers have very melodious middle names, but that would blow up every scoreboard in Formula 1. Pierre Gasly is actually called Pierre Jean-Jacques Gasly. Charles Lelcerc is even longer, with four first names: Charles Marc Herve Perceval Leclerc.
