They drive F1 cars at 300 km/h on the weekends, but during the week in Monaco, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, and Sainz drive Fiats

In Monaco, the drivers from Formula 1 live surrounded by Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and even the world’s most exclusive hypercars. Yet when it comes to getting around on a daily basis in the Principality’s narrow streets, several of them have made a much more unexpected choice: a Fiat.

Far from the cars with over 1,000 chevaux that they drive every weekend, some of the biggest names in F1 have been spotted behind the wheel of small Italian cars that have become perfectly suited to life in Monaco.

Charles Leclerc: The Fiat 500 That Borrows Design Elements from His Ferraris

This is undoubtedly the most surprising image of the past few months. Charles Leclerc has been spotted on several occasions behind the wheel of a 1960s Fiat 500 on the streets of Monaco.

Yet this little city car certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. Its black paint job, accented with a red-and-white stripe, is a direct nod to some of the Monegasque driver’s personal Ferraris, notably his Daytona SP3 and his 488 Pista. It’s a true aesthetic signature that bridges two seemingly opposite worlds.

Beach Fiats Appeal to Drivers

The Fiat Jolly, the famous beach version of the 500, also seems to have won over several drivers. George Russell was spotted behind the wheel of a Fiat Jolly on the streets of Monaco, with his hair blowing in the wind and his feet bare. The images quickly went viral on social media, showing the Mercedes driver looking much more relaxed, far removed from the pressure of Grand Prix racing.

Lando Norris also has a real passion for small Fiats. The McLaren driver drove a Fiat Jolly for a long time before trading it in for a Fiat 500 Giardiniera, which was featured in the series Drive to Survive. His teammate Oscar Piastri was also seen behind the wheel of Norris's Jolly during trips around the Principality.

The Topolino, Monaco's New Star

More recently, the Fiat Topolino has become the new darling of race car drivers. Max Verstappen has surprised passersby as it cruised through the port of Monaco behind the wheel of his Topolino Dolce Vita. It’s an almost surreal scene, considering that the four-time world champion owns Ferraris, Aston Martins, and Porsches capable of exceeding 300 km/h.

Carlos Sainz has also taken a liking to the little Italian electric car. His custom model features a red body, a tartan fabric roof, and details that pay homage to his girlfriend, Rebecca Donaldson. The headrests, embroidered with the couple’s initials, have also caught the attention of fans.

The ideal car for Monaco?

While the drivers’ garages are filled with Ferraris, McLarens, and hypercars worth several million euros, the reality of life in Monaco is quite different. Traffic jams, narrow streets, and parking difficulties often make smaller cars much more practical. Ultimately, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Lando Norris have all shown that you don’t need to drive a supercar to enjoy the Principality.