Formula 1 drivers don't always stay in motorsport after hanging up the helmet, and some career pivots go way beyond the commentary box. Niki Lauda built Lauda Air while still racing, eventually running international long-haul routes alongside his three championships. Paolo Barilla—11th-place finisher turned Le Mans winner—became deputy chairman of the family pasta empire and reconnected with F1 when Barilla signed as an official partner in 2025. Carlos Reutemann, robbed of the '81 title by a single point, served two terms as governor of Santa Fe and nearly ran for president of Argentina. Alex Ribeiro plastered "Jesus Saves" on his F2 car, then became chaplain to Brazil's 1994 World Cup squad and later drove F1's medical car. Jaime Alguersuari, the youngest driver on the grid in 2009, walked away from Toro Rosso at 21 and pivoted to electronic music production. Retirement is just the first career.
Read the full story at formula1.com10 UNEXPECTED CAREERS F1 DRIVERS PURSUED AWAY FROM THE TRACK
Formula 1 drivers don't always stay in motorsport after hanging up the helmet, and some career pivots go way beyond the commentary box. Niki Lauda built Lauda Air while still racing, eventually running international long-haul routes alongside his three championships. Paolo Barilla—11th-place finisher turned Le Mans winner—became deputy chairman of the family pasta empire and reconnected with F1 when Barilla signed as an official partner in 2025. Carlos Reutemann, robbed of the '81 title by a single point, served two terms as governor of Santa Fe and nearly ran for president of Argentina. Alex Ribeiro plastered "Jesus Saves" on his F2 car, then became chaplain to Brazil's 1994 World Cup squad and later drove F1's medical car. Jaime Alguersuari, the youngest driver on the grid in 2009, walked away from Toro Rosso at 21 and pivoted to electronic music production. Retirement is just the first career.
