The Most Iconic F1 Driver Celebrations.

Every Formula 1 driver always remembers their first unforgettable race, whether it was winning their home race or getting the most overtakes. The way they celebrate always feels special, with some funny and others emotional. Here are some of the most iconic Formula One driver celebrations.

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Daniel Ricciardo- Drinking Champagne from his Racing Shoe

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One of Formula One's most notable celebrations comes from Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo. The “shoey,” having originated from Supercars, has become an iconic Australian celebration, with Aussies claiming it as part of their culture. Daniel Ricciardo first did a shoey at the German Grand Prix in 2016, where he placed 2nd. After the crowd loved the shoey, it quickly became his trademark in Formula One.

The Champagne Spray

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While this celebration doesn't belong to any specific driver in Formula One, everyone can agree that it's still one of the best. The champagne spray became a tradition in the 1960s, specifically in 1967, when driver Dan Gurney, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, sprayed it as a joke. Formula One later adopted the idea, and it became a regular tradition at the podium ceremony. 

Michael Schumacher - Ferrari Jump

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Michael Schumacher would leap up in the air with both feet and arms stretched over his head after significant victories. After this tradition became famous, it was named the “Schumi jump.” This started in Michael's early Ferrari years in the late 1990s. Just like Ricciardo’s shoey, this became “his thing.” 

Lewis Hamilton - Helmet or Flag Lift

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While this celebration wasn't one Hamilton did for every race win, waving his country's flag made an often appearance when he won his home races and Driver Championships. This celebration is one of his more meaningful traditions. Lewis either lifts his British Flag or his helmet, and sometimes even both, after a big win. Hamilton will take the British flag and wave it as he did in Silverstone 2024 when he won, or he may lift his helmet to the sky.

Fernando Alonso - “El Matador Pose’

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Fernando had often celebrated his podiums with a stance that fans called the “Matador pose.” This pose usually looked like him standing tall, chest forward, with both arms lifted high. It resembles a traditional Spanish matador standing victoriously tall after a bullfight. Alonso also had even more signature poses, one being the “hawk pose”. However, in the more recent years with Aston Martin, he sometimes celebrated by standing in front of his car and proudly pointing at it.

Ayrton Senna - Fist Pump in the Air

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Ayrton Senna’s trademark move for when he got a victory was raising his right fist in the air. He performed this while driving his cool-down lap. While this was Senna’s trademark move at the time, over the years, it became commonly used by drivers not only in Formula One but also by others after earning their own victories.

Mark Webber - Podium Jump

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Just like Michael Schumacher’s “Schumi Jump,” Mark Webber also had his own version, with people calling it the “Webber Podium Jump.” This jump became one of his signature celebrations during his years at Red Bull Racing (2007–2013).

Max Verstappen - Fourth Title Win

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This gesture Max made is commonly used by drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Niki Lauda when they won a championship, but this one has a different meaning. During the Las Vegas GP 2024, Verstappen had locked in his championship before the end of the season. Throughout that season, he was constantly head-to-head with his rival Lando Norris for the Driver's World Championship. Even though George Russell had won the Vegas GP race, Max Verstappen scored just enough points to stay ahead of Norris regardless of his results in the remaining races. In the picture above, you see the image of Max holding up four fingers to the camera to show he had won his fourth world title. 

Canada 1978 - Beer Instead of Champagne

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At the podium ceremony of the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix, beer was used rather than champagne. This happened because of a sponsorship arrangement for local beer. The race winner, Gilles Villeneuve, was handed a large Labatt beer bottle and sprayed it on the other podium finishers, Jody Scheckter (second place) and Carlos Reutemann (third place).  

Sebastian Vettel - The Finger and Bowing

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Lastly, we have Sebastian Vettel. When Vettel won, he was often famously pictured pointing a single finger up, reflecting his first-place position. This celebration was most common during his successful stint at Red Bull and was later adopted by other drivers such as Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. However, that's not the only iconic celebration Vettel was known for; he often bowed to his car after winning, demonstrating his respect for the car and team. One specific moment when Vettel did this was in India 2013, where he had just clinched his fourth World Championship, and he bowed and even knelt before his RB9.

Article written by Ella Grace B