Sergio Checo Pérez and Fernando Alonso call very different corners of the world home. Beyond the relentless travel schedule that runs from March to December — racing with Cadillac and Aston Martin, respectively — each driver has a place they return to whenever the Formula 1 calendar finally gives them room to breathe.

Pérez is based in Mexico. He has been open about how important it is to spend time with his wife and children, and that connection outweighs the long-haul flights and logistical grind that come with competing at the top level of motorsport. Alonso's situation is similar. His home is in Spain, where, along with his loved ones, he also keeps a private karting track he uses both for fun and to stay sharp.

Here is a rundown of where some of the key drivers on the 2026 F1 grid are based:

Sergio Pérez (Cadillac) – Mexico

Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – Monaco

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Monaco

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – Monaco

Alex Albon (Williams) – Monaco

Carlos Sainz (Williams) – Spain

Esteban Ocon (Haas) – Switzerland

Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Spain

George Russell (Mercedes) – England

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – Switzerland

Lando Norris (McLaren) – Monaco

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Monaco

Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) – Monaco

Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – England

Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – Italy

For other drivers, different priorities take over: avoiding heavy tax burdens, staying close to the European race calendar, or being near their team's factories. That is why the majority of the grid is split between Monaco, Switzerland, and England.

The appeal of the principality comes down to a powerful combination of sunshine, glamour, and financial advantages that are hard to match anywhere else in the world. Residents of Monaco benefit from a zero-tax policy — no income tax, no wealth tax, no local, property, or capital gains taxes.

For athletes earning multi-million dollar salaries, that advantage is not marginal; it is transformative. Geography also plays a role. Monaco sits at the heart of Europe, making travel to circuits across the continent significantly faster and less draining.

That matters to drivers who are already managing one of the most physically demanding schedules in professional sports. Real estate in Monaco is among the most expensive on the planet. Estimates for 2025 place the average price per square meter for apartments and lofts at around 55,000 euros, a figure that climbs even higher in the luxury segment.

Limited land availability and the principality's reputation as a financial haven drive demand from wealthy buyers worldwide, keeping prices consistently out of reach for most — and exactly within reach for the elite that calls it home.