With races around the globe, some racing drivers own their own private jets for travel.
Motorsports such as Formula One and NASCAR can be an intense activity, with dozens of races over one season requiring teams to fly constantly. For those at the top of these competitions, private jets have become common, giving them the flexibility and comforts they wish on their trips. Let's take a look at a few.
Kicking off with the best-known motorsport, Formula One has several drivers who have their own private planes. Pictured above is seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton's Bombardier Challenger 605, which he frequently used between races before selling it.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen recently purchased his own aircraft, a Dassault Falcon-900EX for $15 million.
However, don't assume that all 20 drivers on the grid are flying their own private jets. Many teams, such as Ferrari, have aircraft used by drivers and top management between races. Indeed, only the highest-paid and top-scoring F1 drivers have ever owned aircraft. On longer flights, such as to the Australian Grand Prix, commercial flights are the norm for most drivers even today.
While mindful of the environmental impact of private aircraft, F1 teams must also maintain tight schedules, with as little as four days between two races, a stop at the factory, and other commitments. Other racers with their own planes include Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet and previously Michael Schumacher.
Beyond F1, NASCAR is well-known for drivers and teams owning their own planes. With a grueling schedule of 36 races in 10 months across the US, those who can afford it are willing to splurge on the luxury of flying on their own timetable. Dale Earnhadt Jr. owns a Learjet 60, while Roush Racing owns an entire fleet for its team and crews, including a Boeing 727 and several smaller jets, according to Coast Private.
However, it's not always private jets that are owned by a team or driver, some leagues team up with companies for their requirements.
The Indycar series has partnered with NetJets to offer on-demand private aircraft when teams require them through the season. The deal means that the planes can be busy flying others during busy race weekends and quickly redeployed for teams when they are flying through the week. All of this helps keep carbon emissions low and meet key targets on environmental standards that motorsport is trying to meet.
With commercial flying challenging and inefficient during the season, on-demand jet usage is likely the most feasible way for teams and drivers to travel. For now, it will be interesting to see if more competitors sign up with firms in the future.
Do you know of any other drivers who have their private jets? What do you think teams should be doing for travel? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Coast Private
Lead Journalist – India – Pranjal is an experienced journalist with a strong focus on Indian aviation. His background in political science and economics gives him unique insight into issues surrounding international travel and governmental regulations. Pranjal is enthusiastic about new aircraft types and has his stories regularly picked up by renowned publications including Forbes. Based in New Delhi, India.