The 10 Most Powerful Figures in F… read more
Formula 1 is as much a power game off the track as it is on it. With vast commercial interests, intense team rivalries, and political maneuvering, influence in the sport can shift as quickly as positions on the final lap. From drivers and team bosses to executives and regulators, the key powerbrokers behind F1 shape its future in both visible and invisible ways. Here’s a look at GPFans’ top 10 most powerful figures in Formula 1 in 2025.
10. Flavio Briatore
Once handed a lifetime ban for his role in the 2008 “Crashgate” scandal, Briatore’s return to Alpine (formerly Renault) is one of F1’s most remarkable comebacks. Though 75 and less central than in his heyday, his experience and network still make him a key political force behind the scenes.
9. Christian Horner
Despite enduring a serious internal investigation at Red Bull in early 2024, Horner remains team principal. With over 400 races under his leadership, his grip on Red Bull Racing’s operation is unmatched. His potential departure could throw the team—and its star driver Max Verstappen—into uncertain waters.
8. Toto Wolff
Wolff is the architect behind Mercedes’ dominance in the 2010s and remains one of the most respected figures in the paddock. As a team boss, investor, and power player, Wolff’s influence reaches beyond Mercedes, shaping the future of young drivers and policy discussions in F1 alike.
7. Max Verstappen
Currently the top driver in the sport, Verstappen holds immense sway both on and off the track. His future decisions could cause a seismic shift in the driver market. He’s also unafraid to challenge the FIA, as shown in recent disputes, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s true power figures.
6. Mohammed Ben Sulayem
As FIA President, Ben Sulayem theoretically holds the highest regulatory authority in the sport. But his sometimes tense relationship with teams and drivers has muted his perceived influence. Still, he controls the rulebook and plays a crucial role in the sport’s governance.
5. Ola Källenius
Though rarely seen on race weekends, the Mercedes-Benz Group CEO holds the financial reins of one of F1’s cornerstone teams. Should Källenius decide to pull support, the consequences would ripple across the grid, affecting not just Mercedes but also customer teams like McLaren and Aston Martin.
4. Lewis Hamilton
Though possibly nearing the twilight of his driving career, Hamilton’s global profile is peerless. As a seven-time world champion, his voice still carries extraordinary weight in and outside F1. His 2025 move to Ferrari shows he remains a game-changer, both in branding and team dynamics.
3. Stefano Domenicali
The CEO and president of Formula 1 since 2021, Domenicali has overseen the sport’s expansion and popularity boom in recent years. With his deep Ferrari roots and diplomatic nature, he acts as a bridge between teams, the FIA, and commercial interests, keeping the complex machine of F1 running.
2. Derek Chang
Recently appointed as the new head of Liberty Media, Chang holds the purse strings to the entire sport. With F1’s business operations booming globally, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the sport’s commercial trajectory and long-term strategy. Every major F1 decision must pass through his financial filter.
1. John Elkann
At the top of this power pyramid sits the Ferrari chairman. Elkann, a scion of the Agnelli dynasty, carries the historical and political weight of Ferrari—F1’s most iconic team. His influence is so deep-rooted that many believe F1 cannot function without Ferrari, making Elkann the most indispensable and influential figure in the sport today.
In F1, power is as fluid as fuel, but these 10 figures are currently steering the sport’s direction, both visibly on track and silently behind the scenes.
