Cover Alex Albon’s two career podiums remain Thailand’s only F1 podium finishes. (Photo: Clive Mason / Getty Images)
Alex Albon’s two career podiums remain Thailand’s only F1 podium finishes. (Photo: Clive Mason / Getty Images)
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From rising rookies to record-breaking pros, these Asian drivers are reshaping the grid and proving they belong at the front of the F1 pack
Formula 1 has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, with Asian drivers emerging as genuine stars rather than mere participants. From championship-contending seats to groundbreaking debuts, the region’s motorsport talents are reshaping the sport’s landscape. Today’s grid showcases an exciting array of Asian competitors who are not only representing their nations with pride but also striving for victories and podiums. From Alex Albon to Bianca Bustamante, this new generation embodies the globalisation of F1, bringing fresh perspectives and new fan bases that are transforming the dynamics of the sport.
In case you missed it: Breaking away: trailblazing Asians at the Tour de France
Yuki Tsunoda (Japan)
Japan’s fiery sensation has achieved what seemed impossible just years ago. Yuki Tsunoda’s meteoric rise from Japanese F4 to F1 took merely three years, backed by the formidable Red Bull-Honda partnership. His famously aggressive driving style and candid personality, reflecting a mindset built around fearless competition, have made him a fan favourite. The 2025 season marks his historic promotion to Red Bull Racing, making him the first Japanese driver ever to race for a reigning championship-winning team.
Bianca Bustamante (Philippines)
The Philippines’s trailblazing motorsport star has revolutionised how female drivers can build F1 careers. Bianca Bustamante’s F1 Academy success led to her historic signing with McLaren’s Driver Development Programme, making her the first female driver to receive such backing. Her massive social media following and passionate Filipino support have created unprecedented visibility for Asian women in motorsport. Bustamante’s journey demonstrates how modern drivers can leverage personal branding alongside racing success, creating new pathways for underrepresented groups in the sport’s traditionally exclusive environment.
Alex Albon (Thailand)
Thailand’s first F1 representative in nearly 70 years, Alex Albon has crafted one of motorsport’s most compelling comeback stories. After being dropped by Red Bull in 2020, he returned with Williams in 2022 and transformed into the team’s undisputed leader. His two career podiums with Red Bull remain Thailand’s only F1 podium finishes, but his work rebuilding Williams has arguably been more impressive. The Thai British driver’s laid-back charm and famous “Albon Zoo” of pets (and its Instagram @albon_pets) have made him a paddock favourite while carrying his nation’s motorsport aspirations.
Zhou Guanyu (China)
China’s pioneering F1 driver made history in 2022 as the first Chinese competitor to score championship points. Zhou Guanyu’s journey began as a five-year-old watching the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, setting his sights on F1 stardom. His family’s sacrifice saw them relocate to Sheffield when he was just 12, immersing him in European motorsport culture. After surviving a terrifying crash at the 2022 British Grand Prix, crediting the halo device for saving his life, Zhou continues pursuing his dream. For 2025, he returns to Ferrari as a reserve driver, keeping his F1 aspirations alive.
Kush Maini (India)
India’s next great hope has reached the threshold of F1 stardom. Kush Maini’s appointment as Alpine’s test and reserve driver for 2025 makes him the third Indian driver officially part of an F1 outfit. His impressive 2024 F2 campaign featured five podium finishes and a breakthrough victory in Hungary, proving his credentials against elite competition. Unlike previous Indian drivers who relied on one-off opportunities, Maini has methodically climbed the European junior ladder. His integration into Alpine’s academy represents the modern pathway for Asian drivers reaching the pinnacle of F1.
Ayumu Iwasa (Japan)
Red Bull’s Japanese prospect represents the next generation of Honda-backed talent. Ayumu Iwasa’s impressive junior career includes a French F4 championship and multiple F2 victories, culminating in a fourth-place championship finish in 2023. Currently competing in Japan’s highly competitive Super Formula series, he’s developing his skills while maintaining his stated ambition of becoming F1’s first Japanese world champion. His integration into Red Bull’s junior programme, combined with Honda’s continued technical partnership, positions him perfectly for a future F1 opportunity when seats become available.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
