Formula 1 Drivers That Own Private Jets

9 сентября 2026 г. · 18 мин чтения

Formula 1 Drivers Who Own Private Jets in 2026

Formula 1 is one of the most international sports in the world. Drivers, team executives, engineers, sponsors, and hospitality guests travel between races across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas—often with only a few days separating consecutive events.

That schedule makes private aviation particularly valuable. A private jet can provide flexible departure times, access to smaller airports, private terminals, confidential cabin space, and more control over complex multi-city itineraries.

However, not every Formula 1 driver seen aboard a business jet owns that aircraft. Some charter privately, share flights with other drivers, travel on aircraft arranged by their teams or sponsors, or use planes belonging to family members.

Aircraft may also be registered through companies rather than directly in a driver’s name. For that reason, this guide distinguishes between current publicly documented aircraft associations, reported ownership, and former ownership.

As of 2026, the strongest publicly documented associations involve Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Sergio Pérez. Lance Stroll also has access to private aircraft associated with the Stroll family, although that is not necessarily the same as direct personal ownership.

Max Verstappen is currently associated with one of the most capable aircraft connected to an active Formula 1 driver: a Dassault Falcon 8X registered PH-UTL.

The Dutch driver reportedly acquired the Falcon 8X in early 2025, replacing his earlier Falcon 900EX. The previous aircraft, registered PH-DTF, had originally been associated with Virgin founder Richard Branson before being purchased by Verstappen.

The Falcon 8X represents a significant increase in range and cabin capability. Dassault lists a maximum range of approximately 6,450 nautical miles under specified conditions, making the aircraft suitable for many nonstop intercontinental journeys.

The aircraft offers:

• Three-engine configuration
• Three principal cabin zones
• Maximum operating altitude of 51,000 feet
• Long-range cruise capability
• A low cabin altitude
• Up to approximately 16 passengers, depending on configuration
• Space for working, dining, sleeping, and relaxing

Its range is especially useful during a Formula 1 season. The aircraft can complete many journeys between Europe, North America, and the Middle East without a fuel stop, although actual range always depends on payload, weather, routing, reserves, and airport conditions.

Verstappen’s Falcon 8X has been widely photographed in a distinctive dark livery with orange details. Aviation reporting in 2025 documented the acquisition and subsequent sale offering for his former Falcon 900EX. The Falcon 8X association has also been covered in business-aviation reporting, including a detailed review of the aircraft by Business Insider.

For travelers who want a similar long-range cabin experience, JetFinder can source ultra-long-range aircraft through its worldwide private jet fleet.

Earlier articles frequently connected Fernando Alonso with a Dassault Falcon 900C. That information should no longer be presented as his current aircraft without qualification.

Alonso is now publicly associated with a Dassault Falcon 2000LX. EMCJET, an aircraft completion and refurbishment company, describes Alonso as a client and specifically refers to the delivery of “his Falcon 2000LX.” This provides a more direct public connection than many celebrity-aircraft claims found online.

The Falcon 2000LX is a twin-engine, large-cabin business jet designed for transcontinental and intercontinental travel. Typical features include:

• Approximately 4,000 nautical miles of range
• Spacious stand-up cabin
• Seating commonly configured for eight to ten passengers
• Separate areas for working, dining, and relaxing
• Large baggage compartment
• Strong short-runway performance for its category

The aircraft is well suited to travel within Europe and between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Longer Formula 1 journeys may require a fuel stop depending on origin, payload, weather, and routing.

Alonso’s experience in motorsport extends beyond Formula 1. In addition to winning two F1 World Championships, he has competed in the Indianapolis 500, Dakar Rally, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. A flexible private aircraft is therefore useful not only for Grand Prix travel but also for testing, sponsor commitments, racing appearances, and personal journeys.

Travelers planning European Formula 1 itineraries can combine a private flight to Monaco, Nice, Milan, or another destination within JetFinder’s global network.

Sergio Pérez returned to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac in 2026. He has been publicly associated with Bombardier business aircraft for several years, including a Challenger 604 registered in Mexico.

More recent 2026 reporting connected Pérez with a Bombardier Global Express XRS used for European Grand Prix travel. Formula 1 photographer Kym Illman documented his arrival for the Belgian Grand Prix aboard the aircraft and described Pérez as its owner.

Because the current aircraft’s ownership structure and registration have not been independently confirmed through a publicly accessible official record, it is more accurate to describe it as a reported ownership or operational association.

The Global Express XRS is an earlier-generation ultra-long-range business jet with approximately:

• 6,150 nautical miles of maximum range
• Intercontinental capability
• Seating for up to approximately 14–16 passengers
• Multiple cabin zones
• A large baggage compartment
• High-speed cruise capability
• Space for sleeping on long journeys

That range is practical for a driver traveling between Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. JetFinder’s Bombardier Global Express page provides more information about chartering an aircraft from the same family.

Passengers planning a trip around the Mexican Grand Prix can review JetFinder’s Mexico City Grand Prix private jet guide and Mexico City private jet destination page.

Lance Stroll is frequently seen using private aircraft, but online reports do not always distinguish between aircraft personally owned by the driver and aircraft controlled by his family.

His father, Lawrence Stroll, is a billionaire investor and the executive chairman of Aston Martin. The family has been publicly linked with several Bombardier aircraft, including Challenger and Global models.

A Challenger 604 carrying a registration associated with Lance Stroll has been widely reported, while more recent Formula 1 travel has involved larger Bombardier Global aircraft. Nevertheless, registration, beneficial ownership, operator control, and passenger use are different concepts.

The most accurate conclusion is that Lance Stroll has regular access to private aviation associated with the Stroll family. Public information does not make it necessary to claim that every aircraft he uses is personally owned by him.

Travelers comparing similar Bombardier aircraft can explore the Challenger 604, Challenger 605, and Global 7500 through JetFinder.

No current public information indicates that Lewis Hamilton still owns a private jet.

Hamilton previously owned a distinctive red Bombardier Challenger 605 registered G-LCDH, reflecting his full name: Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton. He purchased the aircraft in the early 2010s and used it extensively during his Formula 1 career.

He sold the Challenger in 2019 as part of a broader effort to reduce his environmental impact. Reuters subsequently noted that Hamilton had sold the aircraft while reporting on changes to his vehicle collection and environmental priorities. Therefore, the existing JetFinder article’s claim that he continues to own and use the Challenger 605 is outdated.

The Challenger 605 typically provides:

• Seating for approximately 10–12 passengers in common executive layouts
• Around 4,000 nautical miles of range
• A stand-up large cabin
• Separate seating and conference areas
• Transcontinental capability

The previous statement that Hamilton’s aircraft carried up to 19 passengers should also be removed. While certification limits can differ from typical executive configurations, a 19-passenger description does not accurately represent Hamilton’s known cabin arrangement.

Hamilton may still use chartered or third-party private aircraft when his schedule requires it. Using an aircraft does not demonstrate ownership.

Learn more about this aircraft category on JetFinder’s Bombardier Challenger 605 page.

Owning a jet is not always the most efficient option—even for a highly paid Formula 1 driver.

A private aircraft involves substantial fixed and operating expenses:

• Acquisition or financing
• Crew salaries and training
• Insurance
• Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
• Hangar costs
• Navigation and airport fees
• Fuel
• Aircraft management
• Engine and maintenance reserves
• Repositioning
• Depreciation

A driver may need a light or midsize jet for a short European sector but an ultra-long-range jet for a journey to Singapore or Australia. Ownership locks the traveler into one aircraft, while charter provides access to different aircraft for different missions.

JetFinder can match the aircraft to the itinerary through its global charter network. Travelers can also use the private jet charter cost estimator and flight-time calculator when planning a route.

Several retired drivers and historic champions have owned business aircraft. They should remain in the article, but in a clearly marked historical section.

Michael Schumacher: Dassault Falcon 2000EX

Michael Schumacher was publicly associated with a Falcon 2000EX during his racing career. The aircraft reportedly carried personalized markings and allowed him to move efficiently between races, testing sessions, sponsor appearances, and his European residences.

The existing article should remove speculative or insensitive claims about Schumacher’s current health. Since his 2013 skiing accident, his family has maintained strict privacy, and only limited verified information is publicly available.

Niki Lauda: Bombardier Global 5000

Niki Lauda’s relationship with aviation was deeper than that of almost any other Formula 1 driver. He held commercial pilot credentials and founded or led several aviation businesses, including Lauda Air, NIKI, and Laudamotion.

He was also associated with several private aircraft, including a Challenger 300 and Global 5000.

Lauda died in 2019. The current page’s description of FlyNiki as an operating airline and its suggestion that he still used the Global 5000 must therefore be replaced with historical wording.

Nelson Piquet: Cessna Citation X

Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet has long been associated with aviation and a Cessna Citation X registered PR-JAQ.

The Citation X became famous for its speed, with a maximum operating speed close to Mach 0.92. It provides a combination of transcontinental range and unusually high cruise performance.

JetFinder offers additional aircraft details on its Cessna Citation X page.

Rubens Barrichello: Embraer Legacy

Rubens Barrichello acquired an Embraer Legacy business jet during his racing career. Some reports refer to it as a “Legacy 135,” creating confusion between the Embraer ERJ-135 platform and the business aircraft marketed as the Legacy 600.

The existing article’s claim that it was a 37-passenger private jet should be removed. The Legacy business-jet cabin was generally configured for substantially fewer passengers than its regional-airliner counterpart.

The aircraft gave Barrichello more control over his schedule and allowed him to spend more time with his family during a career involving extensive international travel.

Readers can compare modern aircraft from this family on JetFinder’s Embraer Legacy 650 page.

Drivers do not use one single method of transportation throughout the season. Depending on the route and schedule, they may travel using:

• Privately owned aircraft
• On-demand charter flights
• Team-organized aircraft
• Sponsor aircraft
• A team principal’s private jet
• Shared private flights with other drivers
• First-class or business-class commercial flights
• Helicopter transfers near circuits
• Chauffeured ground transportation

European races are relatively close together, making light, midsize, and super-midsize aircraft practical. Long-distance sequences require a different strategy.

For example, a private aviation itinerary might connect:

• Monaco with Milan during the European season
• Baku with Singapore
• Singapore with Austin
• Austin with Mexico City
• Las Vegas with Doha
• Doha with Abu Dhabi

Readers can explore JetFinder’s current Grand Prix travel guides:

• Singapore Grand Prix by private jet
• Azerbaijan Grand Prix by private jet
• Mexico City Grand Prix by private jet
• Las Vegas Grand Prix by private jet
• Qatar Grand Prix by private jet

The principal advantage is not simply luxury. It is control over time.

Formula 1 drivers must manage races, simulator sessions, sponsor appearances, media commitments, fitness programs, engineering meetings, and personal obligations. A private aircraft can depart closer to the end of an event and use airports that may be more convenient than major airline hubs.

Other advantages include:

• Confidential travel environment
• Flexible departure times
• Direct or multi-city itineraries
• Reduced terminal waiting
• Space to rest between events
• Customized catering
• Easier movement of personal baggage
• Access to private terminals
• Ground and helicopter transfer coordination

JetFinder explains the wider operational differences in its guide to the benefits of flying private and its article on what to know before flying on a private jet.

Private Jets and Formula 1’s Environmental Debate

Private aviation remains part of a wider discussion about carbon emissions in international sport. Formula 1 has introduced sustainability targets, while aircraft manufacturers and operators are working with more efficient aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon-accounting programs, and operational improvements.

A newer aircraft is not emission-free, and chartering instead of owning does not remove the environmental impact of a flight. However, matching aircraft size to passenger count and mission requirements can avoid using more aircraft capacity than the trip requires.

JetFinder examines the subject in its guide to the private jet carbon footprint and its analysis of private aviation and climate protests.

In many cases, yes. Aircraft comparable to those associated with Formula 1 drivers are available for charter, although the individual aircraft owned or used by a driver may not be commercially available.

Depending on the route, passengers can request:

• Light jets for short European flights
• Midsize and super-midsize jets for regional journeys
• Challenger aircraft for transcontinental routes
• Falcon and Global aircraft for intercontinental travel
• Ultra-long-range jets for major international race sequences

Availability varies by location, date, operator, and aircraft positioning. A request for a specific model may also cost more than allowing the charter broker to propose comparable aircraft.

Review the JetFinder fleet or learn about the world’s major private jet manufacturers before requesting a flight.

Does Max Verstappen own a private jet?

Max Verstappen is publicly associated with a Dassault Falcon 8X registered PH-UTL. He acquired the aircraft in 2025 after previously using a Falcon 900EX.

What private jet does Max Verstappen have?

His current aircraft is a Dassault Falcon 8X, an ultra-long-range trijet with a published maximum range of approximately 6,450 nautical miles under specified conditions.

Does Lewis Hamilton own a private jet in 2026?

There is no reliable public evidence that Hamilton currently owns one. He previously owned a red Bombardier Challenger 605 but sold it in 2019.

Does Fernando Alonso own a private jet?

Fernando Alonso is publicly associated with a Dassault Falcon 2000LX. An aviation completion company has described the aircraft as his Falcon 2000LX.

Does Sergio Pérez own a private jet?

Pérez has been associated with multiple Bombardier aircraft. Recent reporting links him with a Global Express XRS, but the precise legal ownership structure is not publicly clear.

Does Lance Stroll own a private jet?

Lance Stroll regularly uses private aviation associated with the Stroll family. Public reports do not always distinguish between his personal ownership and access to family-controlled aircraft.

Do all Formula 1 drivers fly privately?

No. Drivers use a mixture of private charters, team or sponsor aircraft, shared flights, and commercial airlines.

Do Formula 1 drivers share private jets?

Yes. Drivers and team personnel sometimes share aircraft when their schedules and destinations align. Sharing can reduce positioning requirements and distribute the flight cost among several passengers or organizations.

How much does it cost to charter an F1-style private jet?

Charter prices depend on aircraft category, flight time, positioning, airport fees, crew requirements, and availability. A large-cabin or ultra-long-range jet can cost approximately $10,000–$18,000 or more per flight hour, but hourly figures alone do not represent the final trip price.

Use JetFinder’s charter cost estimator for an initial route-based estimate.

You do not need to own an aircraft to travel with the flexibility associated with Formula 1’s leading drivers.

JetFinder provides access to light, midsize, heavy, and ultra-long-range aircraft for individual races or multi-city Formula 1 itineraries. Flights can be arranged around the passenger count, route, luggage, cabin preferences, and preferred departure schedule.

Travelers with flexible dates may also consider an empty-leg flight, although empty legs are subject to the original aircraft schedule and cannot be guaranteed.

Request a private jet charter for your next Formula 1 weekend.