At the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari’s star duo—Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—made waves even before hitting the track. While the rest of the grid leaned towards practical luxury SUVs—the Ferrari drivers chose stunning Maseratis, turning heads with their luxury vehicles.
Renowned photographer Kym Illman shared his keen observations on the car lineup. Among the fleet of vehicles bringing drivers to the track in Bahrain, Maserati stood out with two of the F1’s biggest choosing it as their ride.
Leclerc was seen stepping out of a Maserati Ghibli, a sleek and powerful luxury sports sedan, starting at $110,995. Hamilton, not to be outdone, was in a Maserati Grecale, a more compact yet equally luxurious crossover—with an estimated value of $77,995 after trim and options.
Illman pointed out that the luxury lineup at the Bahrain Grand Prix was impressive, with several other drivers also arriving in distinct vehicles. Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda drove Ford Explorers, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris drove in Ford Expeditions, and Oscar Piastri opted for a Jet2 T2 XWD. Meanwhile, the likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and Fernando Alonso were seen in top-tier vehicles adding to the spectacle of luxury.
Charles Leclerc walks to the Drivers’ Parade with Lewis Hamilton.
Yet, it was the Ferrari drivers, with their Maseratis, that stole the spotlight. Their choice of car highlighted more than luxury—it underscored a shared flair for precision and style. In a sport where every detail matters, these subtle gestures often resonate just as strongly as performance on the track.
It also speaks to a level of synchronization between the drivers, even before they’ve had the chance to align their performance during the race weekend.
Interestingly, Hamilton didn’t just arrive in style—he arrived prepared. The seven-time World Champion had a second car reserved for his crew, which likely included his long-time trainer Angela Cullen, photographer, or manager Marc Hynes. It’s a small but telling detail: Hamilton’s meticulous approach extends beyond the cockpit, ensuring his entire entourage moves with the same level of precision and comfort.
On the track, the mindset showed. Despite a tough qualifying session that saw him start from ninth, Hamilton delivered a resilient drive. He climbed through the field to finish just behind the Monegasque showing a clear sign that he’s beginning to find his rhythm with Ferrari.
