Player trust is an incredibly important factor in the world of online gambling.
Players often prefer instant withdrawal casinos because these sites demonstrate reliability through their quick pay outs, valid licenses, and secure websites. Some players also value the privacy offered by minimal verification casinos.
Even in top-tier markets, low verification platforms have become a popular choice for those seeking streamlined and private gaming experiences. For instance, no KYC casino Canada options are very popular in the North American region.
Another way to inspire trust is through worth of mouth, which is especially effective if it comes from a celebrity. In other words, gambling brands often support big teams or athletes across all popular competitions in return for their endorsement. Formula 1 is no exception.
Over the past few decades, Formula 1 teams and drivers have partnered with gambling brands, and some races even take place in gambling resorts. We will talk in detail about famous F1 drivers and teams, who actively participate in these collaborations.
Kimi Räikkönen
Kimi Räikkönen began his Formula 1 career in 2001 and it lasted for 2 decades. He started as a Sauber driver but also competed as a member of McLaren, Ferrari, and Lotus, and finished in Alfa Romeo Two years after his retirement, Alfa Romeo replaced its co-title sponsor, Orlen, with a famous crypto-gambling company, Stake. This brand backed many events in the sports world, including football, UFC, and boxing.
In 2024, Sauber ended their partnership with Alfa Romeo, and Stake became an exclusive title partner. The team was rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Unfortunately, the ‘Iceman’ didn’t get to enjoy the benefits of the cooperation. Interestingly, casino gaming is one of the driver’s hobbies.
This isn’t surprising because top operators provide a similar excitement with a risk factor. Sites offering a $1 deposit casino for new player experience are packed with games featuring quick gameplay like speed on circuits and table games, including poker, which Räikkönen is passionate about—so much so that he hosted a poker tournament in Nice.
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso has driven in Formula 1 since 2001, including Minardi, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine, and Aston Martin. Although his current team doesn’t have gambling sponsors, McLaren entered a multi-year partnership with Entain while Alonso was its member. For those who don’t know, Entain is one of the biggest sports betting and entertainment groups.
Their PartyPoker and PartyCasino brands were featured as McLaren partners. The partnership launched on 23 May at the Monaco Grand Prix. On this occasion, halos of MCL35M race cards featured the PartyCasino logo. Being committed to responsible gambling, Entain used this collaboration to find new ways to promote safe play. Alonso himself loves the game of poker and has competed in celebrity poker tournaments.
Giancarlo Fisichella
Giancarlo Fisichella is a three-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner who competed from 1996 to 2009. During his career, he drove for Minardi, Jordan, Benetton, Sauber, Renault, and Force India. In addition to motorsport, the racing driver has a soft spot for gambling. He has participated in a couple of professional poker tournaments worldwide.
In 2009, Fisichella competed in the Sports Challenge IV, sponsored by PartyPoker. The tournament featured qualifiers from the poker site and famous athletes. ‘Fisi’ dominated in the ‘Racing’ heat.
He impressed both commentators and observers with his high-level plays and understanding of the game. Although he lost to an online qualifier, PartyPoker did not forget his skills. Later that year, Fischella was signed as an ambassador for the Italian poker site.
Max Verstappen
After Michael Schumacher, Max Verstappen is the second-best F1 driver of all time. He started his professional career with Toro Rosso in 2014 at only 17 years of age. Two years later, he joined Red Bull Racing and has been competing for the team ever since. Ahead of season 22, RBR has signed a sponsorship agreement with PokerStars, a leading online poker room.
The partnership continued throughout the following season. During this time, the PokerStars logo was featured on the drivers’ equipment and cars. In addition to exclusive promos, F1 enthusiasts could see rare footage that took them behind the scenes of the most anticipated races on the PokerStars YouTube channel.
Lewis Hamilton
English speedster Lewis Hamilton, who has been driving for Mercedes for over a decade now, also has a reputation for gambling. While he doesn’t have a partnership with any betting company, he is popular among other sponsors. Recently, a seven-time world champion signed a multi-year ambassador deal with Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), a leader in online trading. Although it’s not exactly like casino gaming or sports betting, similar concepts and warnings are a part of trading.
