The impact of Formula One goes beyond international racing, as professional teams and drivers are increasingly becoming involved in other industries, including fashion.
For example, Lewis Hamilton, currently contracted under Scuderia Ferrari, has recently collaborated with the luxury fashion house Dior for his first capsule collection. The British racing driver worked with Dior’s artistic director and fashion designer Kim Jones to design pieces that blend the label’s traditional silhouette and materials and his inclination to practicality and functionality due to his sporting background.
A previous post highlighted how Hamilton launched exclusive gear under his limited-edition +44 ‘MX TX’ collection. First released for the Austin Grand Prix, the offroad motocross-inspired collection includes graphic tees, hoodies, and biker jackets adorned by vintage elements like Texas license plates and ‘90s logos.
However, beyond apparel, eyewear is another fashion segment that has begun stepping into the world of F1. Considering F1 drivers typically wear sunglasses on and off the pitlane, more and more eyewear brands are reaching out to partner with elite teams and drivers for sponsorships, deals, and exclusive collections.
Below are some of the most remarkable collaborations.
Oakley x Aston Martin
When it comes to eyewear designed for sports and outdoor activities, Oakley is simply on top of the game. The performance eyewear brand’s wide-ranging sunglasses collection includes sport-friendly models known for their high-quality and durable frames, such as the shield-like Radar EV Path and the De Soto wraparounds, both made of lightweight O Matter material. In addition to providing a secure and comfortable fit, Oakley’s sunglasses can be equipped with the proprietary Polarized Prizm lens technology, which optimizes athletic performance through enhanced contrast and visibility.
In light of its innovations and legacy in technical eyewear, Oakley currently has a technical supply partnership with the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team, with the exclusive deal starting ahead of the 2021 Grand
Prix season. The British automotive manufacturer is a successful addition to Oakley’s growing list of partnerships, endorsements, and licensing deals in other sports like the NFL and Major League Baseball.
Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari
Like Oakley, Ray-Ban has also cemented its role in the outdoor eyewear segment through timeless frame styles with diverse options for prescription, polarized, and tinted lenses. Under Ray-Ban’s sponsorship agreement with Scuderia Ferrari, the racing division of the luxury auto manufacturer Ferrari, it released updated versions of classic models like the Clubmaster and the Aviator. Co-designed with team drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, the limited-edition sunglasses featured distinct elements like yellow temple grips and nose pads, inspired by Ferrari’s signature shield logo.
Ray-Ban’s long-term partnership with Scuderia Ferrari continues with the launch of exclusive smart glasses. Released as the Scuderia Limited Edition in partnership with Meta, the eyewear builds on the previous smart glasses’ features, such as a built-in 12MP camera, high-quality mic and speakers, and voice command while also introducing advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for better integration into motor racing.
Maui Jim x Red Bull Racing
Among the most recent and notable eyewear collaborations with F1 is Maui Jim’s multi-year partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, the official racing team of Red Bull Global Sports. While the brand is typically associated with premium polarized eyewear for sports like surfing and fishing, it is introducing its cutting-edge style and technology onto the grid beginning in the 2025 F1 season. As RBR’s official eyewear partner, Maui Jim’s signature designs will be worn by leading drivers like Max Verstappen, as well as by the team’s official pit crew and support staff.
Clearly, fashion and F1 will continue to intersect as eyewear brands showcase their unique and innovative designs in the international racing world. Continue reading ATX Gossip’s That F1 Lifestyle section for more racing-related news and features.
