Formula 1 and MotoGP world champions have long captured the imagination of fans—and watchmakers. This list explores the best of the best who have inspired the creation of their own signature timepieces, whether through team and series sponsorships or special edition tributes.
For simplicity, “MotoGP” will include all premier class motorcycle Grand Prix world champions.
Giacomo Agonstini (MotoGP)
World Titles: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975
Brands: PETER RATCLIFFE LEGENDS IN TIME, JeanRichard, RO-NI
Quick Note: Agostini still holds the record for the most premier class titles in MotoGP.
Fernando Alonso (F1)
World Titles: 2005, 2006
Brands: Chronotech, TAG Heuer, Viceroy, Richard Mille
Quick Note: Alonso has also been unofficially featured in cartoon form on a limited edition Jim Bamber Omologato piece.
Mario Andretti (F1)
World Title: 1978
Brand: Yema
Quick Note: Andretti has also won titles in American open-wheel car racing, and scored race wins in NASCAR and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well.
Alberto Ascari (F1)
World Titles: 1952, 1953
Brands: Zannetti,
Quick Note: While there appears to be no official licensing, the Ascari collection by Gevril specifically paid homage to the two-time F1 world champion.
Jenson Button (F1)
World Title: 2009
Brand: TAG Heuer
Quick Note: Button has also previously served as a brand ambassador for Seiko, and is currently listed in the Rolex Family.
Àlex Crivillé (MotoGP)
World Title: 1999
Brand: Certina
Quick Note: Crivillé is notably the first Spanish motorcycle racer to win both a race and title in the premier class.
Mick Doohan (MotoGP)
World Titles: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Brands: Certina, TW Steel
Quick Note: Doohan’s five world titles came at the back of a horrific 1992 practice crash that nearly resulted in an amputated leg.
Juan Manuel Fangio (F1)
World Titles: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
Brands: Telda, TAG Heuer
Quick Note: In addition to his remarkable career achievements, Fangio was also bizarrely kidnapped during the 1958 non-F1 Cuban Grand Prix.
Giuseppe Farina (F1)
World Title: 1950
Brands: Zannetti, Cuervo y Sobrinos
Quick Note: Farina has the distinction of winning the first ever F1 world title.
Emerson Fittipaldi (F1)
World Titles: 1972, 1974
Brands: Timex, Heuer, Cartier, TW Steel, Technos, Robot
Quick Note: Fittipaldi had also begun working with PETER RATCLIFFE LEGENDS IN TIME to create a signature chronograph, but its release was ultimately canceled.
Mika Häkkinen (F1)
World Titles: 1998, 1999
Brand: TAG Heuer
Quick Note: Swiss watchmaking workshop Artisans de Genève has also created a custom Rolex Daytona for the Finnish driver.
Lewis Hamilton (F1)
World Titles: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Brands: TAG Heuer, IWC Schaffhausen
Quick Note: Hamilton currently has an association with Richard Mille after his 2025 signing with Ferrari.
Nicky Hayden (MotoGP)
World Title: 2006
Brand: Tissot
Quick Note: Hayden was the Swiss brand’s first ever world champion ambassador.
Damon Hill (F1)
World Title: 1996
Brand: TW Steel
Quick Note: Hill has previously been photographed wearing an Omega Speedmaster during his racing career.
James Hunt (F1)
World Title: 1976
Brands: TAG Heuer, Omologato
Quick Note: Hunt’s iconic helmet design has featured on all of his signature timepieces so far.
Jorge Lorenzo (MotoGP)
World Titles: 2010, 2012, 2015
Brands: Sector No Limits, Tissot
Quick Note: Prior to Lorenzo’s MotoGP career, Spanish watch brand Lotus has released several signature models to celebrate the Spaniard’s 250cc title.
Nigel Mansell (F1)
World Title: 1992
Brands: Zeon, TW Steel
Quick Note: Omologato has also released the Heritage Racing Red as a tribute to Mansell and his title-winning Williams FW14B.
Marc Marquez (MotoGP)
World Titles: 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Brands: Lotus, Tissot
Quick Note: Marquez currently has the third most premier class titles, behind only Agostini and Rossi.
Alain Prost (F1)
World Titles: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993
Brands: TAG Heuer, Richard Mille
Quick Note: French jewelry house Arthus-Bertrand has also produced licensed timepieces for the Prost F1 team.
Kimi Räikkönen (F1)
World Title: 2007
Brands: TAG Heuer, Richard Mille
Quick Note: Räikkönen knows what he’s doing.
Nico Rosberg (F1)
World Title: 2016
Brands: Oris, IWC Schaffhausen
Quick Note: Rosberg was the first ever F1 driver to be linked with an Oris timepiece.
Valentino Rossi (MotoGP)
World Titles: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009
Brands: Breil, Jaeger-LeCoultre, TW Steel, VR46
Quick Note: As of 2022, Rossi is also an ambassador for IWC Schaffhausen.
Michael Schumacher (F1)
World Titles: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Brands: Omega, Audemars Piguet
Quick Note: Schumacher was a TAG Heuer ambassador during the early stage of his career, and has had commissioned pieces created with Girard-Perregaux and F.P. Journe to celebrate his various title wins.
Ayrton Senna (F1)
World Titles: 1988, 1990, 1991
Brands: TAG Heuer, Universal Genève, Hublot
Quick Note: Tribute pieces have also been created by Lorige and REC Watches.
John Surtees (MotoGP and F1)
World Titles: 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 (MotoGP), 1964 (F1)
Brands: Scalfaro, Omologato
Quick Note: Cadola has also launched a Surtees line, although it’s unclear if an official license is involved.
Max Verstappen (F1)
World Titles: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Brand: TAG Heuer
Quick Note: Verstappen also had a brief association with the Casio Edifice line during his time with Scuderia Toro Rosso, although no signature watch was created for him.
Sebastian Vettel (F1)
World Titles: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Brand: Casio
Quick Note: Vettel has also represented Hublot and Girard-Perregaux during his time with Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin, respectively.
From vintage tributes to modern collaborations, these timepieces reflect the legacy of world champions on two and four wheels. Curious about more watch brands behind both series? Visit our dedicated Formula 1 and MotoGP brand pages to learn more.