Alonso remains F1’s most marketable driver

Fernando Alonso is still Formula One’s most marketable driver according to a study published on Wednesday by analysts Repucom.

The Spanish two-time world champion, who is sitting out this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, retains the top spot thanks to an unrivalled popularity in his home land.

Indeed, the report has found that 98 percent of people in Spain know who Alonso is, while 88% of them see the McLaren returnee as an effective brand endorser. 83% of the people surveyed also feel they can trust the 33-year-old.

Alonso edges out former Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, now racing at Williams, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel finishing third ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

The defending champion beats fellow Briton Jenson Button with his recognition increasing to 93% in the United Kingdom after clinching his second F1 title last year.

Following his breakout campaign at Red Bull in 2014, Daniel Ricciardo appears in the rankings for the first time as the Aussie slots in seventh position. That’s two places above Toro Rosso rookie sensation Max Verstappen, who pops up in ninth ahead of his Formula One debut.

Click here for the F1i 2015 season preview

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Ford slams ‘patently absurd’ Cadillac claims as F1 rivalry ignites

Formula 1 hasn’t even reached the starting grid for 2026, yet the gloves are already…

8 hours ago

How to watch Red Bull livery launches as Verstappen and Ricciardo reunite

Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are set to share the spotlight once again – but…

9 hours ago

Hakkinen reveals the Schumacher edge that ‘really pissed me off’

Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher — two titans of Formula 1 whose duels in the…

11 hours ago

‘It’s all nonsense’: Former F1 insider slams Perez's Red Bull claims

The checkered flag may have dropped on Sergio Perez’s Red Bull career, but the verbal…

12 hours ago

Andretti fires successful opening salvo in Argentina

On this day in 1978, Mario Andretti kicked off his banner championship winning year with…

14 hours ago

Not a one-off: Hill sees multiple world titles for Norris

Damon Hill knows a thing or two about what it takes to climb Formula 1’s…

15 hours ago