Racing in Style: How Formula 1 WAGS are Setting Global Fashion Trends

By Valarie Lin, Staff Writer Edited by Rezi Ubogu

Formula 1 (F1) is most notably known for its fast-paced races and fierce rivalries, but recently, the focus has shifted to the women off the track, who are catching the attention of thousands on social media. The sport’s “WAGs”—“wives and girlfriends” of the drivers—have influenced global fashion far beyond the track, redefining what it means to be stylish while cheering on their significant others. From Alexandra Saint-Mleux’s elegant European flair to Muni “Lily” He’s sporty-preppy aesthetic and Rebecca Donaldson’s refined minimalism, these women consistently set trends online. With every post and Grand Prix appearance, they’ve turned the paddock, a central hub for F1 teams, into their personal runway, which has quietly become one of the most photographed places in the world of fashion. From the thunderous engines to champagne sprays, some say the real race is often over whose outfit is the best on the track sidelines. 

Alexandra Saint-Mleux, fiancée of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and art moderator, is most notably known as the paddock’s “it” girl. Her wardrobe embodies the essence of quiet luxury, being both sophisticated and trendy. Drawing from her background in art history, Saint-Mleux curates looks that balance composition, texture, and local culture, blending art and fashion at every Grand Prix. Known for supporting emerging brands like For Love & Lemons and Meshki, she merges accessibility with aspiration. Her Sau Lee modern cheongsam at the 2025 Shanghai Grand Prix exemplified her elegance and cultural sensitivity, earning widespread acclaim online. 

Lily He, partner of Williams Alex Albon and a professional golfer, has an athletic yet high-fashion style. One day, she's wearing a tennis skirt, a spray jacket, and a baseball cap, and the next, she’s donning a complete designer outfit. He showcases her versatility in her outfits, reflecting someone who was born to be an athlete with a strong emphasis on fashion. In an interview with LPGA’s Sarah Kellman, He shared, “I love a lot of the early 2000s Prada. I think that’s always been kind of my vibe–a big sporty and very clean silhouette.” Her minimalist aesthetic often comes alive through pops of color and striking accessories, making her one of the paddock’s most dynamic fashion figures. 

Rebecca Donaldson, partner of Williams Carlos Sainz Jr. and a model, brings a minimalist and elegant approach to the paddock. As a well-known model who has worked with prominent brands like Dior and Chanel, Donaldson possesses striking features and a natural elegance that enables her to balance high fashion with an approachable charm. By establishing a name for herself, she’s able to have confidence without excess, aligning with contemporary European aesthetics. During race weekends, she’s characterized by basic yet unique cuts and silhouettes in her denim sets, luxurious knit pieces, and classically cut dresses. 

While race weekends are usually casual chic, the WAGs are prepared to take their glamor for events and galas to another level. At season-end celebrations and movie premieres, the partners of F1 drivers are often seen wearing couture gowns and bold, statement-making looks that leave other guests in awe. The outfits of F1 WAGs are becoming more talked about due to their high visibility and spectacular fashion sense. The paddock is becoming a high-fashion hub, where every outfit is photographed and then dissected by interested social media users. Natasha Yao, a writer at Vogue Hong Kong, noted, “Race weekends can also be a runway,” highlighting the influence of these women, who set the standard each week with effortless looks. 

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have only amplified their influence. As many WAGs are social media influencers, they often post race-day outfits, travel looks, or casual streetwear that spark online trends. Just days after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the interest in WAG style reached an all-time high, according to Google Trends. Additionally, there are accounts dedicated specifically to identifying every WAG outfit detail and dupes. For many younger followers, F1 fashion isn’t about luxury, but rather identity and accessibility. When comparing social media grids, each woman’s page is like their fashion: Alexandra Saint-Mleux’s page is carefully curated and sophisticated, while Lily He’s page exudes high energy and feels more natural to the viewers. 

In recent years, F1’s viewership has grown, and the fashionable WAGs have been a key part of their success in expanding the sport to female fans. F1’s fandom seems only to be increasing. With the 2025 season coming to a close, there has been a 12% increase since last year and a 63% increase since 2018, making F1 one of the most-watched sports in the world. Now, there’s an audience of 750 million, and of that audience 41% are women, showing a sharp increase from only 8% in 2017. With the rise in female F1 viewership and the influence of WAGs on the fashion industry, these statistics suggest that more women are now engaging with what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport and viewing culture. 

The F1 partners are redefining what it means to be a WAG. Many of them are entrepreneurs, athletes, and creatives in their own right. Alexandra Saint-Mleux has collaborated with trending brands such as Rhode and Meshki. Lily He continues to break barriers as a professional golfer, and Rebecca Donaldson co-founded an activewear company. Their fashion choices not only complement their partners on the grid, but they also create their own identity outside of it. The WAGs’ presence isn’t just about aesthetics, but the participation of women in male-dominated sports. By having the F1 paddocks become runways, these women are expanding the meaning of visibility in sports, representing fashion and influence on and off the tracks.

F1 is all about speed and precision; however, with the high influence of fashion recognized in the paddock, a new precedent for the sport has been set. From Alexandra’s curated sophistication to Lily’s sporty minimalism and Rebecca’s sleek modernism, it is clear F1’s fashion sense has diversified. The F1 WAGs have single-handedly helped transform the world’s fastest sport into a fashionable one and, in the process, helped bring a new generation of women fans along for the fast-paced ride.

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