FORMULA 1 has always been a sport of glitz and glamour.
But F1 has witnessed some cringeworthy celebrity cameos over the years as stars of sport, music and film muddle their way through an on-the-grid interview – or just downright shun them altogether.
But there is a select handful who can be relied upon to give their all on motor sport’s most prestigious series.
Here, SunSport details F1’s biggest celebrity fans and the motors they have invested their own money in.
Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio’s commitment to motor racing is strong and he has been seen hanging out at the Monaco Grand Prix among the celebrity guests who regularly make their way to F1’s glamour race.
But, as an avowed environmentalist, his own fleet of vehicles is decidedly modest, reportedly featuring a Hybrid Volvo SUV, the electric Tesla Roadster and Hollywood darling Toyota Prius.
DiCaprio does still have room in his garage for a Porsche Cayenne plus a Fisker Karma – dubbed the world’s first luxury plug-in electric vehicle.
However, F1 may no longer be the 45-year-old’s priority after he founded the Formula E team Venturi Racing.
It is perhaps no surprise to see the eco-warrior turn to the electrically powered series to scratch his racing itch.
Cameron Diaz
Charlie’s Angels star Diaz shares many of the eco credentials of her Beverly Hills buddy DiCaprio when it comes to her car collection.
Said to be among her options for the morning commute are a Prius and Tesla Roadster, the battery-powered baby of outspoken entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Diaz, 47, swung by the 2013 Monaco GP and witnessed Nico Rosberg pick up what was then a rare win for Mercedes.
Clearly one with a thirst for speed, she has also been seen climbing into a Maserati Quattroporte.
George Lucas
Few celebrities can boast as many appearances at F1 race weekends as Star Wars and Indiana Jones creator Lucas.
Spotted at, among others, the Austrian, American, British and Monaco circuits over the years, he even jumped up to the podium to interview Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa at Monza in 2015.
The 75-year-old’s passion for speed has been a significant part of his life since his youth, with major consequences.
A big car crash in California is said to have focused his mind to press on and get the grades that helped him boot up the Star Wars franchise – a movie keenly reflected in his car history.
When the Mosler MT900S sports car was released in the early 2000s, it was dubbed the “Darth Vader car” due to its fierce appearance.
Only 14 were ever made but who took delivery of the first street-legal MT900S? George Lucas.
Antonio Banderas
You have to be a petrolhead to play Ferruccio Lamborghini on the big screen and Spanish film star Banderas is just that.
A self-described “follower of F1 for many years”, Banderas has previously turned out at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas and, of course, Monaco.
Featuring in his car collection over the years have been a Porsche 911 and a Bentley Continental, both convertible.
And we can expect to see him behind the wheel of more supercars when Lamborghini – The Legend drops.
Kit Harington
Not only has Kit Harington heard the engines roar from the stands, he has hopped in for a first-hand experience too.
Before the 2017 Italian GP, and joined by Game of Thrones co-star and F1 superfan Liam Cunningham, the English actor was treated to some mega G-force in the backseat of a two-seater F1 car.
And the boys were back for the following year’s race in Monaco, joined by another GoT favourite Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Back on the public roads, Harington has shown off a Triumph Thruxton motorbike and a stunning Jaguar F-Type, that must feel like a Reliant Robin after his Monza experience.
David Hasselhoff
For a man who burst onto our screens driving a futuristic sports car, David Hasselhoff has done extremely well to live up to his Knight Rider credentials.
Among the extensive list of vehicles he has owned over the years are a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, 1986 Porsche 928, 2016 BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe and a 2017 Cadillac Escalade.
Naturally, The Hoff did own the 1986 Pontiac Firebird specially customised to create his KITT companion in the famous TV show – before he sold it six years ago.
A regular at Gumball Rally events, the 67-year-old was a guest of Red Bull at the 2013 Italian F1 GP where he declared even champion Sebastian Vettel “tough to beat”.
Owen Wilson
One of the great questions of F1’s celebrity cameos is whether Owen Wilson actually likes the sport or just happens to voice a film character inextricably linked to it.
The star of Disney hit Cars has popped up at a number of races but has often been reluctant to profess his love for all things racing.
When quizzed by racer-turned-pundit Martin Brundle on the grid of the Malaysian GP in 2012, he tersely replied: “This is my second [Grand Prix], I went to one in Spain.”
A perplexed Brundle drolly stated “well that’s good to know” as the Hollywood actor drifted away.
Back on the streets, Wilson musters up the energy to drive a Prius having also owned a Porsche that was identical to his brother’s.
Wilson recalled: “We, I’m sure, looked pretty obnoxious with matching Porsches, because at that point we were living together.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
