5 F1 driver pairs on the 2025 grid that are friends off the track

The 2025 F1 season is on the horizon, with the opening race in Melbourne scheduled for March 14. The grid is fixed after an active drivers' market led to some eventful transfers.

The shuffle was triggered by Lewis Hamilton's stunning move to Ferrari, leaving Carlos Sainz a free agent. He moved to Williams, whereas Mercedes replaced Hamilton with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Moreover, Red Bull sacked Sergio Perez after an ordinary season to promote Liam Lawson. A total of five rookie drivers will be making their debuts in the 2025 season, making it a historic year.

Meanwhile, keeping the rivalry aside, here's a list of five driver pairs from the 2025 season who are friends off the track.

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#5 Lando Norris and Max Verstappen

F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna (Image Source: Getty)

McLaren driver Lando Norris has shared great camaraderie with Red Bull ace Max Verstappen in the past. The two have often been spotted taking flights together for race weekends and holidays. Norris also shares a special bond with Verstappen's stepdaughter, Penelope.

While their friendship developed some cracks during the 2024 F1 season due to an intense on-track battle, the duo claimed that they called a truce by sorting out the issues.

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#4 Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - Previews (Image Source: Getty)

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly have developed a personal bond outside the paddock.

The two often attend public events together, including the Wimbledon tennis tournament and pop star Taylor Swift's concert. Their girlfriends are also friends, as they like to hang out outside of the world of F1 as well. While Leclerc drives for Ferrari, Gasly has been with Alpine since 2023.

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#3 Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli

Formula 2 Championship - Round 13 Lusail - Sprint Race (Image Source: Getty)

Rookie drivers Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli have been friends since junior days. They began racing together in F4 and rose up the ranks simultaneously.

In 2025, the duo will be stepping into the world of F1 together as full-time drivers. While Bearman has been signed by Haas, Antonelli will replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

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#2 Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz

Grand Prix of China (Image Source: Getty)

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz became friends when they teamed up for McLaren in 2019 and 2020. While Sainz had previously raced for Renault and Toro Rosso, Norris made his F1 debut in 2019. They developed a great bond together and rooted for each other.

Even after the Spanish driver left for Ferrari in 2021, their bond remained unaffected. At the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Sainz and Norris finished P1 and P2, respectively, to share a heartwarming moment.

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#1 Alex Albon and George Russell

Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi (Image Source: Getty)

Williams driver Alex Albon and Mercedes' George Russell are also friends off the track. Albon, who is half-British, met Russell during their karting days.

According to media reports, the duo have been friends since childhood, and their bond has grown stronger over time. In an old interview (via Sportsrush), Albon revealed that he ditched Russell on a holiday trip to meet his girlfriend Lily Muni He. Albon and Russell also connected on many common factors, such as both having driven for Williams in their careers.