F1's driver nicknames

FIA's Formula One is known as the pinnacle of motorsports and everything related is held to very high standards. Even when it comes to driver's nicknames, unlike in other sports, they tell a tale of the driver's driving style, his personality, his habit of crashing, his services to a specific team or even about his looks.

Below some excerpts of Oliver Harden's article "Ranking F1's greatest driver nicknames":


Juan Manuel Fangio "El Maestro", as the 5 time World Champion was considered to be the master in his home country of Argentina, but in retrospect, around the world as well. From the 5 championships, four were with different teams, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Maserati. He is pictured above, on the cover of the Italian Life magazine.

Sir Jack Brabham "Black Jack", as the 3 time World Champion was known for his tough, firm persona. Mr. Brabham is pictured on the right looking at the newly presented bust of himself.

Niki Lauda "The Rat", as the three-time World Champion's bucked teeth led the Austrian to be likened to a rodent. After winning the crown this changed to "King Rat".

Graham Hill "Mr. Monaco", on winning at the principality on five occasions in the sixties.

Nigel Mansell "The Lion", as the World Champion was called by the tifosi for his highly committed, aggressive, spectacular style he drove his Ferrari in 1989-1990.

Alain Prost "The Professor", as the four-time World Champion was referred to his extensive repertoire, consisting of tactics, politics, mind games and shear speed, to beat his faster but more naive rivals.

Mika Häkkinen "The Flying Finn", as the 2 time World Champion was referred to.

Arie Luijendijk "The Flying Dutchman, as the two-time Indy 500 winner (1990, 1997) was known to be fly around the 2.5 mile tri-oval.

Michael Schumacher "The Red Barron", because of the seven-time World Champion's red Ferrari and in reference to the German famous flying ace of WWI. Schumacher's nicknames also include "Rain Master.

Fernando Alonso "Teflonso", as the World Champion was involved in several controversies, but like Teflon, nothing stuck.

Kimi Räikkonen "Iceman", as the blunt, straightforward and monosyllabic style in interviews the World Champion carries himself.

Pastor Maldonado "Crashtor", as the Venezolean has the habit of crashing into everything in sight.

Nico Rosberg "Britney", as the fresh-faced appearance and blond locks reminded many of the famous pop singer. Coined in 2006, the nick name caught on in 2010 thanks to Hamilton and Button playing a practical joke on Rosberg's birthday.

Lewis Hamilton, "Hammertime", as the 2008 World Champion is known to be able to press hard and make the passes when it's necessary.


So when you hear a F1 driver's nickname mentioned, you know there is a great deal of truth to it. Unfortunately, as the corporate world has gotten a strange hold on the modern F1 era, nicknames are on the decline.

Source: Oliver Harden
Photo credit: Life Magazine (Italy)