F1 Drivers Get New Honda Civic Type Rs For Their Daily Commutes

Ever wonder what F1 drivers drive when they’re not on the track? With 20 drivers currently competing in the championship, there’s no one answer. But there is one for two of those drivers.

Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley both recently took delivery of new Honda Civic Type Rs. Not a bad choice, considering that the model holds the record as the fastest front-driver ever to lap the Nürburgring. But based as it is on the Civic, it’s also a civilized and versatile daily driver.

Why Hondas, you ask? Because Gasly and Hartley drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso, and the team gets its engines from… you guessed it: Honda. Gasly also drove for Honda’s Team Mugen in Japan’s Super Formula series last season (where he finished second).

Hartley has relatively less experience racing for the Japanese manufacturer. But we wouldn’t hold that against him, considering that he won both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship last year with Porsche. And the Civic holds a special place in his heart.

“Would you believe it, my first ever road car was a 1996 model year Honda Civic,” said Hartley. “So it’s nice to get the upgrade to the Type R. The only downside is that, with 21 Grands Prix and the really busy F1 schedule away from the track, I won’t get to drive it as much as I’d like.”

“I am very lucky to have a Type R as my daily car,” added Gasly. “I’m excited to try it out on the iconic Route Napoleon in the South of France, and maybe even on a racetrack where I will really be able to push the limit.”