How Many Languages Do Formula 1 Drivers Speak? A Look at 2025’s F1 Grid.

Languages F1 drivers speak multiple languages and in a sport as globally connected as Formula 1, this skill is invaluable. Drivers hail from diverse backgrounds, racing on circuits across the world and racing for various international teams. As a result, language skills have become a crucial aspect of a driver’s success. Being multilingual not only helps drivers connect with the international media but also enables them to communicate effectively with their multinational teams and sponsors. This ability often gives them an advantage, both on the track and in their broader careers. In this article, we’ll delve into the language abilities of the current F1 drivers in the paddock at the beginning of the 2025 season.

When drivers join teams based in places like Italy and France many actually make the effort to learn the local language. It’s not just practical, it shows respect and helps them integrate better with the team. They also have to interact with sponsors, media outlets, and other olbligations and finally being able to give interviews in multiple languages increases their global appeal and can help them connect with a broader fan base.

What’s kind of funny (or maybe a bit embarrassing) is that there’s a clear split in the 2025 paddock. Most drivers speak at least two languages, but it’s typically the native English speakers who stick to just one language. Come on, English speakers – step up your game! It’s not a great look when everyone else is making the effort to be multilingual! The non-English speaking drivers usually master English (since it’s the main language of the sport) plus their native tongue and often pick up a third or fourth language along the way. If you’re thinking about learning a new language yourself, I’ve got some great reviews of language apps and courses that might help you get started.

Now, let’s check out how many languages the drivers on the 2025 F1 grid actually speak…

Languages Spoken: English, Dutch (basic)

Norris is primarily an English speaker, but thanks to his Belgian heritage (his mother is from the Flanders region), he understands and speaks some Dutch.

Languages Spoken: English

As an Australian, Piastri’s native language is English. He learnt some Japanese at school, but only has a very basic understanding.

Languages Spoken: Dutch, English, German

A 4-time world champion and current reigning F1 world champion, Verstappen speaks 3 languages. According to his Wikipedia, he learnt German whilst karting with Michael Schumacher.

Languages Spoken: Japanese, English

Promoted to the main Red Bull Team after Lawson’s awful start, Tsunoda is the only Japanese speaking driver on the grid. He’s also speaks English well. Here’s a video of him speaking Japanese.

Languages Spoken: French, Italian, English

Leclerc speaks French as his native language and is fluent in both Italian and English. The Monégasque racing driver’s ability to communicate in Italian is especially valuable for his role at Ferrari, an Italian team.

Languages Spoken: English, Italian (learning?? maybe?)

Lewis Hamilton is one of the most successful Formula 1 drivers of all time, with seven world championships to his name. As a native English speaker, Hamilton has learnt tiny bits of other languages here and there and occasionally uses phrases in Italian and French during media interactions.  Since his move to Ferrari he has been having Italian lessons so time will tell if he actually tries to learn it seriously beyond a few phrases. He definitely could work on his language skills though, to prevent blunders like how he famously posted a thank-you message to Brazilians in Spanish after the Brazil Grand Prix.

Languages Spoken: English

Russell has the honor of being one of the few monolingual drivers so the grid.

Languages Spoken: Italian (native), English, German (learning).

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is one of the new driver’s on the grid, following an impressive start in Australia, I’m excited to see what he can bring to the rest of the season. Kimi was born and raised in Bolonga, Italy and apart from his native Italian he can speak English but he has has stated in interviews in the past that he was learning German, however I don’t know if that’s still the case as I haven’t been able to find any videos of him speaking German.

Languages Spoken: Spanish, English, French, Italian

Fernando Alonso is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in Formula 1, with two world championships to his name. Alonso is one of the most multilingual drivers on the grid, speaking four languages fluently. His ability to switch between Spanish, English, French, and Italian has been invaluable throughout his long career with various international teams.

Languages Spoken: English, French

Overview: Stroll was born in Montreal, Quebec which is the French-speaking part of Canada, he is fluent in both English and French.

Languages Spoken: French, English, Spanish, Italian

Ocon is a native French speaker and is fluent in English, he also speaks Italian and Spanish, I haven’t found any interviews of him speaking at length in either Spanish or Italian, however he himself says he speaks these languages.

Languages Spoken: English, Italian (learning).

Ollie is a native English speaker but also can speak some basic Italian. He finished school at 16 and moved to Italy to focus on his racing.

Languages Spoken: English, German (basic)

Liam Lawson made his F1 debut as a stand-in driver for AlphaTauri in 2023, stepping in for Ricciardo and then replacing him in the latter half of the 2024 season. He was promoted to the Redbull seat in late 24 replacing the poorly performing Checo, before being demoted back to Racing Bulls after two terrible races at the start of the season.

As a New Zealander, Lawson’s native language is beautiful New Zealand English (yes I’m bias). However, having spent considerable time racing in Europe, particularly in Germany, he has picked up some basic German. I’m quite surprised I had to edit this post this early in the season due to his demotion.

Languages Spoken: French (native), English

Another new addition to the paddock, Hadjar finished 2nd in Formula 2 in 2024. He was born and raised in Paris, but his family comes from Algeria. He does have an interest in Japan, culture, manga and anime so who knows maybe one day he will learn Japanese.

Languages Spoken: English, Thai

Albon, with his mixed Thai and British heritage, speaks English fluently and has some knowledge of Thai. However, I doubt he uses it much, as his interviews, even with Thai media, are conducted in English.

Languages Spoken: Spanish (native), English and Italian.

Sainz speaks Spanish as his first language but is also fluent in English and Italian. The Spaniard has joined Williams for the 2025 season.

Languages Spoken: French, English, Italian

Gasly speaks French as his native language and is fluent in both English and Italian.

Languages Spoken: English

Joining Oscar Piastri we have another Aussie in the F1 paddock. It’s not certain for how long he’ll be in the seat for Alpine with rumours swirling so he’ll need a good season. Doohan was born and raised in Australia and speaks only English and Aussie bogan :).

Languages Spoken: Portuguese, English

Bortoleto’s native language is Portuguese (Brazilian), other than that he’s speaks English well. He moved to Europe at the age of 11 and comes from a super wealthy family in Brazil.

Languages Spoken: German, English, Dutch

Growing up in Germany in Emmerich am Rhein which just next to the Dutch border, Hülkenberg speaks German as his first language but is also fluent in English and Dutch. I found some footage of him on a Dutch TV Show, as you’ll see his Dutch is extremely fluent.

So as you can see languages F1 drivers speak multiple languages, and their ability to do so is a testament to the international nature of the sport. As Formula 1 continues to grow as a global phenomenon thanks to series like Drive to Survive on Netflix. The importance of language skills will only increase, both for drivers and for fans looking to engage with the sport on a deeper level. Whether you’re inspired to learn a new language yourself or just appreciate the skills of these world-class athletes, it’s clear that speaking multiple languages is a powerful tool in the world of motorsport.