There’s no denying Formula 1 is one of fashion’s latest obsessions. Beyond the obvious attractions (hot guys, fast cars, and champagne), racing is in style—in and out of the paddock. Since debuting in 2019, Netflix’s Drive to Survive series has transformed drivers into trendsetters (see Lewis Hamilton co-chairing this year’s Met Gala in a Harlem Renaissance–inspired suit by Grace Wales Bonne), inspired countless Ferrari jacket purchases (remember TikTok’s motocore era?), and even kicked off a Puma speedcat revival. Oh, and the fashion collab market is getting into gear, with brands like Louis Vuitton, Levi’s, and (surprise!) Lululemon cashing in on the motorsport’s growing appeal.

And now a new fashion fixation is revving up: Formula 1 wives and girlfriends. On August 6, just days after the Hungarian Grand Prix, interest in WAG style reached an all-time high, according to Google Trends. Over on TikTok, fan accounts rack up likes and comments for identifying every WAG outfit detail. And with a little over two months left to go in the 2025 season and an ever-increasing fandom—up 12 percent since last year and 63 percent since 2018—the F1 WAG effect is officially off to the races.

F1’s Fashion Formula

Beyond the occasional celeb fashion flex—like the fringe-covered oxblood racing jacket singer and actress Lisa wore to this year’s Miami Grand Prix and that one ‘90s photo of Claudia Schiffer sporting Chanel on the track in Monaco—there’s not really an official F1 style code. Looks range from casual to formal (sometimes at the same Grand Prix), and depending on the weather and location, fashions change throughout the season. Plus, every team has its own merch, colors, and traditions to flaunt. So it’s no surprise that the newest generation of fans are looking to the women who attend all (or at least most) of the races for inspiration. 

Carmen Montero Mundt walks alongside her boyfriend, Mercedes driver George Russell, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix in May.

Thankfully, the racing WAGs are a bit like F1 Spice Girls—there’s one for every vibe. If you’re more of a sartorial risk-taker, look no further than Lily Muni He. The pro golfer, who just so happens to also be Williams driver Alex Albon’s girlfriend, has been known to wear a Tabi shoe (or two) and serve up head-to-toe Miu Miu. For those who love the classics, Carmen Montero Mundt (the +1 of Mercedes driver George Russel) wears enough stripes, scarves, and matching sets to fill an entire la dolce vita capsule wardrobe. Rebecca Donaldson’s model-off-duty style—quite literally, she supports Williams heartthrob Carlos Sainz, Jr., in between photoshoots—offers a blueprint for casually effortless dressing. And the trend-inclined find plenty to draw from when Redbull driver Max Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet steps out, especially in her stellar maternity ‘fits. 

Lily Muni He wearing her Tabis to support boyfriend Alex Albon at the Grand Prix of Monaco in May 2024.

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While everyone has their favorite, F1’s style star of the moment is Alexandra Saint Mleux. Along with sky-high Google searches and countless fashion fan accounts popping up on TikTok, the girlfriend of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has captured hearts and minds with her romantic-yet-relatable sense of style. 

The WAG Effect

Saint Mleux’s aspirational-yet-relatable personal style is a key factor in the Formula 1 WAGs allure. Unlike, say, A-List actresses and high-profile athletes, these wives and girlfriends don’t have a celebrity stylist or image team on retainer—or at least, not that we know of. Instead, many dress themselves, curating their paddock looks with brands they actually love. These are plugged in 20-somethings prone to choosing a cool, word-of-mouth Instagram brand over a fusty legacy fashion house. 

Alexandra Saint Mleux headed to the Ferrari paddock to cheer on her boyfriend Charles LeClerc at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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Take the flouncy florals Saint Mleux wore to the Hungarian Grand Prix in August. “Alexandra Saint Mleux discovered For Love & Lemons completely organically and curates her own selects,” says a representative from the brand. “It speaks to how our pieces resonate with women on a personal level.” The dress in question is not a four-figure creation from a luxury conglomerate, but an under-$300 minidress anyone can purchase at Revolve. 

Emerging brands were also the first to buy into Saint Mleux’s burgeoning influence. Meshki, an women-led brand designed in Sydney, collaborated on a resort capsule with the Formula 1 phenom last winter after she had been spotted wearing the Juniper Dress at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2023. “Born from her organic love for the brand, a partnership with Alexandra Saint Mleux felt like a natural next step in our creative journey,” says the brand in a statement. “Over time, she became more than just someone who wore the brand, she became our muse.”

This penchant for relatively affordable, independent labels extends to other WAGs, too. Albon’s gf, He, favors an eclectic high-low mix, wearing cool-girl brands like Tae Park with The Row accessories and low-top sneakers. She’s especially good at an off-kilter pairing, like the Chanel silk scarf, designer pigeon clutch, and under-$100 tank top outfit she wore on a roadtrip with Albon between grands prix. Donaldson, on the other hand, is restrained in her pairings but catholic in her tastes, wearing established favorites like Saint Laurent or Sportsmax one day and up-and-comers like Nanushka and Ruohan the next. There’s an element of discovery to dissecting their outfits, and you might just find your new favorite designer scrolling through an F1 WAG’s feed.

Lily Muni He at the Chinese Grand Prix in March 2025.

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Plus, WAG-worn designs have a tendency to sell out, proving their influence goes deeper than double taps and comments. Asta Resort, a frequent favorite of Saint Mleux’s, sees consistent sell-through—and in many cases, sell out—of items worn by the F1 It girl. And while the label’s sequined separates and adorned party dresses aren’t exactly everyday attire, most are under $600 and available to order online in several countries. 

Fans in Every Port

Formula 1 drivers race across several continents and dozens of countries—of course the inherently global sport has global style. The closets of F1 WAGs encompass Shanghainese labels (see He’s Samuel Gui Yang wrap coat), Finnish mother-daughter designers (Montero Mundt tapped Andiata for Miami and Monaco this year), and Aussie boho favorites (Zimmerman is Piquet’s maternity brand of choice).

Kelly Piquet (partner of Red Bull Driver Max Verstappen) at the Zimmerman Paris Fashion Week show in March.

Plus, with each Grand Prix locale comes a stellar opportunity to honor culturally significant designers. Saint Mleux seems to understand this. When she chose Sau Lee for her looks at the 2025 Shanghai Grand Prix, it helped spread founder Cheryl Leung’s message. “The Shanghai F1 Grand Prix offered the perfect stage for [Saint Mleux] to showcase designs rooted in Chinese craftsmanship,” says the Hong Kong-based designer.

Alexandra Saint Mleux on her way to view the practice rounds of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Wearing the designer’s signature modern cheongsams—self-described as “silhouettes defined by elegant mandarin collars and pipa knot buttons”—Saint Mleux’s Shanghai fashion tour went mega-viral on TikTok. Cool-girl brand and gotta-have-it satin mini dress notwithstanding, her fashion choices here carried layers of meaning, adding to the buzz around her style.  

“Alexandra’s loyal fan base has a huge influence—her followers are deeply invested in her style, so the excitement began there,” says Leung. “But this moment also tapped into something larger: a global cultural wave celebrating Chinese heritage in fashion. We’re seeing houses revisit ‘90s archives and spotlight the cheongsam in particular, and as a Chinese brand, Sau Lee is proud to be leading that conversation.”

Saint Mleux and Leclerc during the Chinese Grand Prix in March.

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Granted, the F1 WAG budget is certainly more substantial than the average shopper. And, of course, fashion companies are more than willing to loan or gift product to this cadre of women. Still, this balance of fantasy and reality lands them firmly in the “rich people who rich right” category. Without that aspirational relatability, it’s doubtful fans would scour Revolve for Saint Mleux’s every look or praise He’s shoes on Reddit with such fervor.

The hope is that maybe, somehow fans might be able to buy and wear these looks themselves. Or fall in love with a gorgeous Ferrari driver… either one will do.