Pole Position at Monaco: 5 F1 Racers

Ricciardo’s reaction to placing fourth in the Spanish GP (ultimately losing to his teammake Max Verstappen) sums up his optimistic team-oriented approach: “When I joined Red Bull, I wanted to go up against the best and challenge myself. Now Max is the newest challenge for me, and he is a big one.” So, just a tinge of healthy competition aka fuel for Monaco. He’s also helping F1 feel relevant to a younger, female demographic thanks to being the smiliest, driver ever. Oh, and he’s a great sport about losing to seven-year-olds.

Team: Red Bull

Followers: 363k

By most accounts, Mercedes has the fastest car on the tracks right now, and one of the fastest drivers behind the wheel in German driver Nico Rosberg. He pulled a risky cross-track move in the Spanish GP, resulting in a 22nd placement and, speculation says, a crash with his own teammate Lewis Hamilton. We’ll leave that argument to the pros, but we do like his public response: a driver’s seat selfie with the message, “best way to overcome a bad weekend is work #bestteam #F1Testing #cantWaitForMonaco.”

Team: Mercedes AMG

Followers: 590k

One spot behind Daniel at the Spanish GP was the Finnish cruiser Valtteri Bottas. He’s credited his snowy upbringing with building a strong foundation for riding—and the emotional endurance needed to sustain ups and downs. This season isn’t his highest-scoring which makes for an extra-interesting Monaco, and Montreal. He’s still finding time to stay balanced, posting ocean-side bike rides to the watch he designed for Oris. Extra credit: now a Monaco resident, he filmed a video guide to the city he calls home.

Team: Williams Martini

Followers: 203k

British racer Lewis Hamilton really does what he wants. By ten, he was winning local karting competitions, at at one, he boldly introduced himself to the McLaren F1 team boss Ron Dennis at a local competition and explained that he’ll be racing McLaren cars sometime soon. (He did—and was the youngest driver ever to get a development contract that later led to F1 driving.) Still up to his ways. A recent headline: “Lewis Hamilton Gets Banned From Using Snapchat In F1 Paddock, Does It Anyway.” Amazing, rebellious, and exactly why his SM accounts have become famous for selfies, press appearances, workouts, style, and gracious captions.

Team: Merdeces AMG

Followers: 2.7m

Both of Max’s parents were drivers—his dad, F1 star Jos Verstappen, his mother Sophie, kart champion. So, sure, you could say he was unfairly prepped for success, but he’s notoriously self-assured, obsessive and polite. He’s now the youngest race winner in the sport’s history, just crushed the Spanish Grand Prix locking in a #1 spot. His #AskMax33 video series is charming—watch him give his girlfriend a casual “tour” of a circuit.

Team: Red Bull

Followers: 372k

Honorable mention for the organization that started it all (and started their own Instagram account only a year ago). Great for aerial course shots you can’t find anywhere else and throwback moments from their private archive.

Location: Great Britain

Followers: 1.1m