They\u2019re famously known as the fastest of the fast and some of the most fearless competitors on earth. There is no doubt that the current crop of Formula 1 drivers are bursting with talent on track, but did you know the world\u2019s best racers have plenty of off track tricks up their sleeves too?<\/p>\n
From concert pianos to DJ decks, judo mats to magic tricks, and even a host of musicians, the 2025 grid hides a wealth of unexpected skills that fans might not ever see. Here are six of the best examples of drivers who shine just as brightly away from the track.<\/p>\n
Yuki the Bloodhound<\/p>\n
It\u2019s clear that Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> has a serious knack for cooking, once even stating that once even stating that it would be a dream to open his own restaurant. However, what might be less well known is his other self-proclaimed talent, which thankfully pairs pretty neatly with his love of food.<\/p>\n In an interview with Talking Bull<\/a> (Red Bull Racing\u2019s official podcast<\/a>), Tsunoda was proud to reveal some hidden lore \u2013 that he has a noticeably sharp sense of smell \u2013 something his team often teases him about. It\u2019s easy to see how that ties into his passion for cooking, where he relies on aroma as an element of taste.<\/p>\n Maybe it\u2019s that sharp nose that makes him such a good cook \u2013 or perhaps he just likes knowing what everyone\u2019s having for lunch.<\/p>\n Lewis the singer<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton<\/a> is a man with many talents. His creativity runs deeper than his record-breaking F1 career may suggest, from designing his own fashion collections to advocating for social and environmental causes.<\/p>\n But music has always held a special place in his life. The Brit has spent years exploring singing, songwriting, and production, even contributing uncredited vocals to Christina Aguilera\u2019s track \u201cPipe\u201d under the alias XNDA.<\/p>\n However, Hamilton has made it clear that creating music is more than a hobby \u2013 it is instead a way to step away from the stress of racing and the demands of touring the world. Timing, emotion, and flow matter just as much in a song as they do on the track, making it easy to see why he\u2019s drawn to both worlds. Music gives him a creative outlet that\u2019s entirely for himself, a space to reflect and experiment with his creativity.<\/p>\n Isack the judoka physicist<\/p>\n With his father being a quantum physicist, Isack Hadjar<\/a> has admitted in interviews he might have followed a similar path if racing hadn\u2019t taken off \u2013 even saying he \u201cwould have ended up studying physics or engineering\u201d instead. His love and talent for maths and science runs deep enough that he\u2019s decorated his racing helmets with equations, a small nod to his dad and respect for the specialism.<\/p>\n Alongside this, the French-Algerian driver developed the sense of calm and physical focus needed for driving that was shaped by years of judo training. Hadjar rose through the ranks all the way up to achieving the coveted brown belt as a kid before dedicating himself fully to racing, it\u2019s clear the skills have stayed with him. Together, they make him one of the most talented rookies on the grid, having already achieved his first podium in Zandvoort this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n Carlos the weatherman<\/p>\n Carlos Sainz<\/a> has always been serious about a variety of sports, but he has a niche skill away from the sporting arena \u2013 predicting the weather… And while it may be a light-hearted claim, you can imagine how that intuition might just come in handy on a race weekend.<\/p>\n Liam the musician<\/p>\n Liam Lawson<\/a> has a deep connection with music that goes beyond casual listening or having assembled the perfect race weekend playlist. The Kiwi plays guitar, sings, and has even been known to cover acoustic hits in the studio, having shared clips online well before he reached F1.<\/p>\n In interviews, Lawson has revealed that music is a way to focus and recharge, a hobby that balances the intensity of racing. He\u2019s admitted that if motorsport hadn\u2019t worked out, he could have pursued music full-time.<\/p>\n Fernando the magician<\/p>\n
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\nDuring a media activity<\/a> with ex-McLaren<\/a> team mate Lando Norris, the Spaniard claimed he has been known as the \u2018Shepherd\u2019 due to his ability to predict weather changes. This unusual skill could likely be attributed to his extensive outdoor activities such as racing, cycling, and plenty of golf.<\/p>\n