F1: 5 most followed drivers on Twitter

The world of Formula One is perhaps just as fast-paced outside the circuits as it is on track. F1 drivers tend to live a lifestyle that is very much in the public eye, and in turn garner some of the most passionate fans in all of sport.

But some most certainly command more attention than others. There is no doubt that over the years, certain personalities have entered the F1 arena who have not only been larger than life, but have also transitioned to pop culture and mainstream media a lot quicker than their contemporaries.

In this day and age of transparency, it isn't hard to find your favourite celebrity on social media, and forums such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are perhaps the easiest ways for fans to connect with their sporting heroes. Twitter is generally considered one of the most sought-after in this regard, and it doesn't appear as if it's disappearing from the scene any time soon.

So who are the F1 drivers that fans want to look out for the most? While a few names do spring to mind, it was surprising to find that many of your household names don't make the cut simply because they didn't want to face the hassle of updating Twitter in the first place. In their absence, here are the 5 most followed profiles from the current crop of drivers:

#5 Max Verstappen (855k)

Max Verstappen may still be known as the new kid on the block, but there is no doubt that this Dutchman is slowly making a real name for himself both on and off the track. His recent performance in Singapore was a testament to his tenacity, and that is backed up by his social media activity too, which is somewhat reminiscent of a youngster who acts his age.

Nonetheless, amassing almost a million followers so quickly is an art in itself, and we can be sure that this number will only increase in the coming few years.

#4 Daniel Ricciardo (1.53M)

Verstappen's current teammate at Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo has earned himself a reputation of being the dark horse for way too long now in F1, and while he hasn't actively challenged for the drivers' crown yet, fans have flocked to the support of this Australian in huge numbers.

Ricciardo has been around for quite a while in comparison with his teammate, but his social media took off after it was revealed that he was moving to Renault for next season, a bombshell announcement that took the world by storm. His numbers will surely increase too, but he may hit a followers' roadblock unless he competes in the top brass again next season.

#3 Sergio Perez (2.04M)

Here is a name that might surprise a few. Sergio Perez has managed to amass a whopping 2.04 million followers on Twitter as we speak, largely thanks to the sheer time he has spent in the competitive world of racing. The Mexican came to the fore in 2012 as part of the Ferrari driver programme and has since cemented his place in the F1 ranks.

Now driving with Racing Point Force India, controversy has been close by, but his driving talent has shone through, making him a hot favourite with fans. His constant social media updates endear him to his fan base, and there is reason to believe that this dashing individual could be heading for more viewers in the coming years.

#2 Fernando Alonso (2.49M)

Fernando Alonso is without a doubt one of those guys that you just have to take notice of. Never shy of the limelight, there is absolutely no doubt that the Spaniard would have ruled the roost on Twitter if it was active back in 2005 when he began taking F1 by storm.

His back to back World Championships and aggressive driving style would have been social media fire back in the day, and though we do have those clips available now, the feeling just isn't the same. Alonso is nonetheless assisted by the fact that neither Sebastian Vettel nor Kimi Raikkonen operate Twitter, so the current McLaren driver takes the penultimate spot on our list in his ultimate F1 season.

#1 Lewis Hamilton (5.33M)

Remember when we spoke of certain individuals making the transition to mainstream media? Lewis Hamilton most definitely falls into that category. The Brit has been the love of the back pages since bursting on to the scene in 2007, and his relationship with pop culture queen Nicole Scherzinger thrust him into the spotlight even more.

On track, he is one of the most feared drivers and looks on course to win back to back Championships after a stunning drive so far. His followers are an astounding 5.33 million in 2018 and he continues to be one of sports' most influential personalities.

Edited by Prathik R