The biggest F1 stars have long been linked to the world of superyachting – from eco-conscious ownership and charter culture to custom superyachts and design collaborations. As the countdown to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix begins, BOAT unpacks the growing connection between Formula One and yachting...
For some of the world’s best racing drivers, time spent on the water provides the perfect antidote to life in the fast lane. Fernando Alonso put it best when he told BOAT International, "When I spend time on the catamaran, it is completely the opposite. I slow down my life and I go like in slow motion… I can really enjoy every second of the day."
Read More/The yacht-spotter's guide to the F1 Monaco Grand PrixFernando Alonso’s quiet escape on board his Sunreef 60 Power Eco
Alonso is one of Sunreef Yachts’ highest-profile owners, having taken delivery of a custom 18.3-metre Sunreef Power Eco in 2023. The electric catamaran – which he describes as "a small villa on water" – is a reflection of his values as much as his lifestyle. “I want to travel in total silence, with no fumes, no vibrations,” he told BOAT International in a 2023 interview. "It makes perfect sense with being in the water and being in the middle of the Mediterranean and taking care of that sea that we love."
Alonso first discovered Sunreef through chartering – experiences he described as "magical". But the decision to commission his own boat was inspired by a move to Monaco and a growing appreciation for catamarans’ stability and space. "Compared to a monohull, you can get closer to the coast," he said.
His chosen model is equipped with an ultralight battery bank and an advanced solar panel system that spans 68.6 square metres of surface area, delivering up to 13kWp of clean energy. Inside, sustainable materials set the tone, while six guests and four crew can be comfortably accommodated.
"There are other possibilities of integrating solar panels on a yacht," Alonso said, "but it never looks good." Sunreef’s approach, he added, was both "luxury and sustainability like no other shipyard".
"Yachting should not be about ego. For me, it’s about sharing good moments and being respectful towards the environment."
Read More/Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso on his Sunreef 60 Power Eco catamaranMax Verstappen’s celebration yacht: Unleash the Lion
In 2025, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen became the proud owner of Unleash the Lion, a Mangusta GranSport 33 by Overmarine Group reportedly commissioned two years earlier to mark what would become his fourth consecutive world title.
Built for performance as well as comfort, the 33-metre yacht is among the first large vessels to be powered by Volvo Penta’s IPS1350 system, delivering a 26-knot top speed with lower fuel consumption and greater manoeuvrability. The model’s standout features include a generous sundeck, beach club and a host of alfresco lounging areas – perfect for the Mediterranean coastlines of Monaco, where Verstappen resides.
Toto Wolff’s carbon-fibre dream yacht designed with Wally
Toto Wolff’s passion for pushing the limits extends beyond Formula One, with his enthusiasm for both the America's Cup and superyacht design making waves in the world of yachting. As team principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1, Wolff has ventured into the high-stakes world of competitive sailing, contributing to the technical programme of INEOS Britannia’s America’s Cup campaign in 2024.
His love for performance is evident in his recent experience on board the 40-knot foiling yacht, which he describes as the fastest he’s ever been on. When it comes to his ideal yacht, Wolff told BOAT International his dream is a perfect blend of performance and elegance, with a focus on seaworthiness, new emission technologies, and ample space for tenders and sports activities.
Collaborating with Luca Bassani of Wally, he’s even sketched plans for a 65-metre carbon-fibre sailing yacht, though time constraints have kept it in the conceptual phase. Wolff’s idea of a yacht also includes a big gym, a helicopter garage, and a serene beige-and-blue interior that reflects the surrounding environment.
Read More/Toto Wolff on the America's Cup, designing his own yacht and freediving with Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton’s chartered lifestyle
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time F1 world champion, may not own a superyacht, but he’s no stranger to the experience. Hamilton has been spotted chartering a number of high-profile yachts, particularly around the Monaco Grand Prix, where superyachts are a fixture of the social scene. One standout is the 55-metre Baglietto yacht Severin's, which he was seen on board during race week festivities.
Hamilton’s use of superyacht charters reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth individuals who prefer flexibility and variety over full-time ownership. Chartering gives F1 drivers and other celebrities the chance to enjoy the superyacht lifestyle without the long-term commitment.
Nico Rosberg’s eco-yachting focus
Nico Rosberg, who won the F1 world title in 2016, has carved out a niche in the world of sustainability since retiring from racing. He is frequently seen promoting eco-friendly charter yachts and participating in initiatives focused on green yachting. His involvement highlights a growing trend of eco-conscious F1 alumni who carry their environmental values beyond the racetrack. He featured on BOAT International's Boat Briefing podcast in 2020, where he discussed his love of yachting, some of his F1 glory and why catamarans are the next big thing.
Eddie Jordan’s family adventures on board Blush
The late Formula One team boss and TV pundit Eddie Jordan was the long-time owner of the 45.3-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Blush, which he purchased in 2018. Drawn to the yacht for her elegance and pedigree, Jordan undertook a personal refit with his wife Marie, favouring a lighter, more modern interior over the original dark mahogany styling. "I want to wake up on board and think, ‘Wow, this is fresh and really cool,’" he told BOAT International. One of his favourite features was the direct access from the master suite to the swim platform, allowing him to dive straight into the water each morning.
Jordan used Blush for private family cruising, from Easter reunions in Sicily to racing in the Perini Cup in Sardinia. He emphasised a relaxed, inclusive onboard culture, encouraging crew to feel part of the experience. The yacht was acoustically engineered for quiet sailing and underwent a €1.8 million refit in 2022. It was later sold in December 2024. Jordan previously owned the 27.1-metre Oyster sailing yacht Lush, now in the hands of Oyster CEO Richard Hadida.
Read More/Formula One boss Eddie Jordan's 45m Perini Navi sailing yacht Blush soldAdrian Newey’s slower pace of life on board an Oyster 885
Widely hailed as one of the most successful engineers in Formula One history, Adrian Newey OBE commissioned a 27.4-metre Oyster 885 in 2023 with plans to sail around the world following his departure from Red Bull Racing. The yacht is tailored to suit Newey’s personal vision for long-range cruising and a slower pace of life after decades in the high-octane world of motorsport.
Newey played an active role in the yacht’s design and engineering, incorporating a solar-panel-lined hard-top Bimini and a bespoke folding swim platform to maximise functionality. "It’s all personal and that’s the great thing about building a boat from new," he said. Drawing parallels between race car design and yacht building, he noted: "We are tailoring an existing design, but it’s for a very different outcome… Building a live-aboard sailing yacht is much more subjective in terms of the overall pleasure versus performance and usability."
Speaking at the Yacht Club de Monaco during the 2024 Historic Monaco Grand Prix, Newey revealed that his transition to life at sea marked a conscious shift. "Do I [race] again or do I enjoy my Oyster yacht and sail off into the sunset?" he mused. Citing the "purity of sailing" and a desire to reconnect with nature, Newey described his Oyster as "a really comfortable all-rounder... It’s been a great experience."
Newey joins a roster of prominent Formula One personalities who have chosen Oyster, including Eddie Jordan.
Read More/Watch: Adrian Newey switches out Formula 1 racing for a "slower pace of life" aboard his Oyster sailing yachtWhy F1 drivers are drawn to superyachts
From F1 drivers to engineers, the expertise flowing from motorsport into yachting is undeniable. This collaboration has reshaped the way we view performance on the water. BOAT International unpacked how America's Cup teams are leveraging Formula One technology to their advantage in September 2024 – read more about the intersection of these two high-speed sports below.
Read More/The quest: How the America’s Cup teams are taking their tech cues from Formula One