“Everyone loves Ferrari in Formula One, and everyone loves music. So, what happens when we mix music with the exciting world of Formula One racing? It’s like checking out the best all australian casino review before playing – you want to ensure it will be fun. Music and F1 both have a way of making our hearts race. But does music make watching Formula One even better for fans? Let’s dive into how tunes play a part in the thrill of racing and see if it makes us enjoy the races more.”
F1 Drivers Love Music
F1 drivers enjoy music like anyone else. Instead of a car radio, they sing their favorite song over the team radio and sing to their engineers.
For example, during a 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix practice, Lando Norris was heard humming “Friday (Dopamine Re-Edit)” by Riton. Remixed “Push the Feeling On” by Nightcrawlers (1992).
In 2019, Norris sang “Stop It” by FISHER at the United States Grand Prix. The song is known for its catchy line, “I’m moving up and down, side to side, like a rollercoaster.” That year, the event’s organizers invited Bruno Mars to perform. They aimed to attract more American fans to the sport.
Many F1 drivers share their music preferences on social media. Daniel Ricciardo, for instance, posts his playlists on Instagram stories.
Some drivers even have their signature tunes. For example, Carlos Sainz sings “Smooth Operator” by Sade after a successful race. He did this after his win at the Singapore Grand Prix. He calls it his ‘smooth operation’ anthem.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not just talented drivers; they also produce their music. We have never heard about Hamilton’s productions. But, the seven-time World Champion often teases them on social media. XNDA, also known as “Christian Karlsson,” made a guest appearance on Christina Aguilera’s song “Pipe.” He sang the bridge but only confirmed it was him two years later.
But, we had the chance to hear Leclerc’s piano talent. He played “AUS23 (1:1)” before the 2023 Australian Grand Prix weekend. This composition garnered plenty of reception: 1.5M streams on Spotify in five days and 4.2M in one month. He also released a song in Miami (“MIA23 (1:2)”).
Back in the day, Jacques Villeneuve also tried a music career. He released an acoustic rock album, “Private Paradise,” which proved unsuccessful.
A famous team principal also has links with the musical industry: Christian Horner. Indeed, his wife Geri Halliwell is an ex-Spice Girl. Horner can play the guitar, too, adding to his repertoire of skills.
The Original Case of the Pitstop Boys
The “Pitstop Boys,” a group of fans from the Netherlands, create anthems for F1 drivers. Originally a trio, now they’re a duo who support Max Verstappen. They started making songs for Verstappen in 2016, celebrating his wins with tunes that rally the “Oranje army.”
Their first song came out right after Verstappen’s first Grand Prix win in 2016. It got much attention once Lando Norris played it on a Twitch stream, making it super popular (now with over 10M views on YouTube!).
Verstappen, initially embarrassed by the song, has grown to appreciate the fan enthusiasm. In 2021, they released a remix for Verstappen’s season finale against Lewis Hamilton. They also made “Let’s Go Lando” to thank Norris and even a song for Fernando Alonso, “Vamos Fernando!” in 2023.
Artists Love F1!
Other artists chose to make a song about the sport itself. But, these songs tend to vary in success.
We can talk about David Guetta, who chose to focus the “Dangerous” music video on F1. He invented a story to illustrate his song. It was about a rivalry between two F1 drivers: him and “JP,” played by the British actor James Purefoy.
In a music video from 2014, DJ David Guetta drives Pastor Maldonado’s Lotus E20, a car from the 2012 F1 season. Before he could drive an F1 car, Guetta had to complete training. It included theory and practice with smaller Renault cars. Another character, Purefoy, is seen driving a vehicle made by an old French F1 team, AGS.
Romain Grosjean also appears in the video, playing Guetta’s teammate. Jonas Åkerlund directed the video. It sparked some controversy. It shows intense rivalry in F1 and women in swimsuits replacing mechanics. Despite the mixed reactions, Guetta’s song was a hit and topped the charts worldwide.
In contrast, the song Will I Am, made for the Miami Grand Prix this year, aimed to attract more American F1 viewers. Yet, it didn’t impress the European audience.
Some comments were quite evocative of what would happen next. For example, “I was expecting a horrible song. I received precisely what I had expected.
Grand Prix Intros
Another critical element of Formula One and music is the opening title during race weekends! This topic is relatable for Formula One fans, who rush to their devices when they hear the hymn of the opening titles!
The host country’s anthem is always played before the race, usually by the national band. It can lead to funny moments. For example, at the Belgian GP this year, some drivers were seen holding their laughter.
Yet, a more pressing case for opening titles was the ones used on television! This list features some iconic tunes during the sport’s golden years.
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac became a famous F1 theme when the BBC used it from 1978 to 1997. Murray Walker was a legendary F1 commentator. He was thrilled when the BBC brought it back in 2009, and he said it always gave him butterflies of excitement.
When Channel 4 took over F1 broadcasting in the UK in 2016, it kept “The Chain” as its race day theme. Before that, from 2006 to 2008, ITV 1 used a special remix of Moby’s “Lift Me” for its F1 coverage. It added Formula One (F1) engine sounds to make it more exciting. Fans remember this era for its great racing moments.
Another song that left its mark on the sport is ‘Just Drive,’ by Alistair Griffin. Indeed, BBC1 used it at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2010, illustrating the season’s highlights. It was the song’s premiere, and it immediately climbed the charts! One listen to this song, and you will know why it was so high up on the charts in no time!
Final Thoughts
Formula One entered a new digital era after its sale by the American group Liberty Media in 2017. The author confirmed that a year later, in 2018, Brian Tyler was commissioned to produce the first “Official F1 Theme”, played as the opening title for each Grand Prix. And the Hollywood composer did it. Every ardent fan and follower of the sport knows his “F1 Theme.” They get goosebumps when listening to it.
You must have understood some famous tunes within Formula One, then. Tune in to the next race in Las Vegas. It will run from 16 to 18 November 2023, with the race on Saturday night! You could then spot Brian Tyler’s famous hymn and discover newer tunes!
