Best F1 Sunglasses 2026: Ferrari, McLaren & Driver-Signature Shades

Motorsport and eyewear have gone together since the goggle-and-string days, and modern Formula 1 leans into it hard. Teams run co-branded ranges, Formula 1 has its own official eyewear line, and several drivers have their own signature frames. That is great news for fans: you can buy genuinely well-made sunglasses that also fly your team's colours, rather than settling for unlicensed novelty plastic.

We compared the most popular F1-linked sunglasses of 2026 on the things that actually matter — UV protection, lens category (how dark the tint is), build quality, official licensing, and value. There is a pair here whether you support the Scuderia, back a papaya-orange underdog, or just want proper motorsport styling on a budget.

Two numbers frame the whole category. First, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays — every branded pair below clears that bar. Second, lens darkness is graded by category: a Category 3 lens transmits only 8 to 18 percent of visible light, which is the standard tint for strong sunshine and driving, while Category 4 lenses are darker still and are not road-legal for driving in most countries. Keep both in mind and you cannot go far wrong.

Quick Picks: Best F1 Sunglasses

• Best Overall: Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari — premium build, official Ferrari branding
• Best Sporty Look: Oakley (McLaren-linked) — wrap-around performance frames
• Best Official F1: Puma Formula 1 Collection — the true licensed-F1 pick
• Best Driver Signature: Police Lewis Hamilton Collection — bold, personality-driven frames
• Best Value / Heritage: Carrera Racing — motorsport styling for less
• Best for Track Days: Scuderia Ferrari Polarized — glare-killing lenses for the drive

Top 6 F1 Sunglasses Reviewed

1. Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari — Best Overall

The Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari collection is the default pick for most F1 fans in 2026. You get Ray-Ban's legendary build quality and lens tech, dressed in official Ferrari red accents and the prancing-horse logo — a co-branded partnership that has run for years.

• Genuine Ray-Ban construction and Category 3 lenses for bright days
• Official Scuderia Ferrari branding and colourways
• Full 99–100% UVA/UVB protection
• Aviator, wayfarer and wrap shapes to suit any face

They cost more than the rest of the field, but you are paying for real Ray-Ban quality plus official Ferrari licensing. For most fans, this is the one to buy.

2. Oakley (McLaren-Linked) — Best Sporty Look

If you want the sport-performance look, Oakley frames are the pick. Oakley has long ties to McLaren and to motorsport in general, and its wrap-around Sutro and Radar-style frames give you that unmistakable athletic profile with Prizm lens options.

• Wrap-around coverage ideal for spectating and active use
• Prizm lens options that boost contrast in bright light
• Lightweight O Matter frames that stay put
• Papaya-friendly colourways for McLaren fans

These are the sunglasses for fans who actually move around — grid walks, karting days, cycling to the circuit. If the retro Ray-Ban look is not for you, Oakley is the sporty alternative.

3. Puma Formula 1 Collection — Best Official F1

For the purest official-F1 buy, the Puma Formula 1 collection carries the actual Formula 1 branding rather than a single team's. Puma is F1's official kit partner, and its eyewear range brings that motorsport identity at a friendlier price than the premium co-brands.

• Official Formula 1 branding, not tied to one team
• Sporty, modern frame shapes
• Full UV protection in a mid-range price bracket
• Neutral colourways any fan can wear

If you love the sport itself more than any one team, this is the collection to wear. It is also a natural match for the rest of your official F1 gear.

4. Police Lewis Hamilton Collection — Best Driver Signature

The Police Lewis Hamilton collection is the standout driver-signature option. Police and Lewis Hamilton have collaborated on multiple eyewear ranges, and the results are bold, fashion-forward frames that reflect his off-track style.

• Co-designed with a seven-time World Champion
• Distinctive, statement frame shapes
• Full UV protection with fashion-grade finishing
• A talking-point pair for any Hamilton fan

These lean more lifestyle than pure sport, which is exactly the point. If you want sunglasses tied to a specific driver rather than a team, this is the pick.

5. Carrera Racing — Best Value / Heritage

The Carrera racing range gives you genuine motorsport heritage for a lot less money. Carrera's name is rooted in racing, and its frames deliver that vintage-rally-meets-modern look with full UV protection at a fraction of premium co-brand prices.

• Authentic racing-brand heritage
• Great price-to-quality ratio
• Full UVA/UVB protection and Category 3 tints
• Wide choice of classic and modern shapes

If you want the motorsport aesthetic without the co-branded premium, Carrera is the smart-money choice. It is the pair we would hand a new fan on a budget.

6. Scuderia Ferrari Polarized — Best for Track Days

For the drive to the circuit or a day in the grandstand, a polarized Scuderia Ferrari pair is the one to reach for. Polarized lenses cut the harsh glare bouncing off tarmac, car bodywork and water, so your eyes stay relaxed through a long, bright race day.

• Polarized lenses that kill road and tarmac glare
• Official Ferrari branding and Category 3 tint
• Ideal for driving and outdoor spectating
• Full UV protection for all-day wear

Skip polarization if you mostly want them for indoor sim racing — but for real-world sun, glare-cutting lenses make a noticeable difference. This is the track-day fan's pick.

F1 Sunglasses Comparison

How to Choose F1 Sunglasses

Decide: Team, Sport or Driver

Your first choice is what you want to fly. Team fans should look at co-branded ranges — Ray-Ban for Ferrari, Oakley for the McLaren-linked look. Fans of the sport itself want the Puma official Formula 1 collection. And if you follow a specific driver, a signature range like the Police Lewis Hamilton collection is the way to wear your allegiance.

Check the Lens Category

Lens darkness is graded 0 to 4. For bright race-day sun and driving, you want Category 3, which transmits only 8 to 18 percent of visible light. Category 4 lenses are darker still but are not legal for driving in most countries, so avoid them if you will be behind the wheel on the way to the circuit.

Polarized or Not?

Polarized lenses cut glare from tarmac, bodywork and water, which is brilliant for outdoor spectating and driving. For indoor use — including a session on your F1 sim racing setup — you do not need polarization, and it can make some screens look patchy. Match the lens to where you will actually wear them.

Confirm the UV Rating

Never compromise here. Stick to the branded pairs above and you get the 99–100% UVA/UVB protection the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends. Cheap unbranded "F1 style" frames often skip proper UV filtering, which can do real harm — the small saving is not worth it.

F1 Sunglasses by the Numbers

• UV protection is the non-negotiable: the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays, and every branded F1 pair in this guide meets that standard — the tint colour does not affect UV filtering, which comes from the lens coating.
• Category 3 is the race-day tint: under the widely used lens-category scale, a Category 3 lens transmits just 8 to 18 percent of visible light, making it the correct choice for strong sunshine and driving, while Category 4 lenses are too dark to be road-legal for driving in most countries.
• Polarization cuts glare, not UV: polarized lenses reduce reflected glare from flat surfaces like tarmac and water but do not add UV protection on their own, so pick polarization for outdoor track days and skip it for indoor sim racing, where reflected screen glare can look patchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there official F1 sunglasses?

Yes. Formula 1 has its own official Puma-made F1 eyewear collection, and individual teams run co-branded ranges — most famously Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari and Oakley with McLaren. Several drivers also have signature eyewear, such as the Police Lewis Hamilton collection. All carry proper branding and UV protection rather than being unlicensed novelty frames.

What lens category is best for watching or driving at a race?

For bright daylight at a circuit, a Category 3 lens is the sweet spot. Category 3 lenses transmit only 8 to 18 percent of visible light, which is the standard tint for strong sunshine and general driving. Avoid Category 4 lenses for driving — they are too dark and are not road-legal for driving in most countries.

Do F1 sunglasses actually block UV properly?

Reputable F1-branded eyewear from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Puma, Carrera and Police blocks 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB, which is the level the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends. The UV filter comes from the lens coating, not the tint, so even a lighter driver-signature frame protects your eyes fully. Cheap unbranded "F1 style" sunglasses often skip proper UV filtering, so stick to known brands.

Are polarized sunglasses good for sim racing or watching F1?

Polarized lenses cut glare from tarmac, water and car bodywork, which makes them excellent for spectating trackside or driving to the circuit. For sim racing indoors you do not need polarization at all, and polarized lenses can make some LCD and dashboard screens look patchy, so keep them for outdoor use.

Which F1 sunglasses are the best value?

Carrera racing-heritage frames and the Puma official F1 collection usually offer the best price-to-quality ratio, giving you genuine motorsport styling and full UV protection for far less than premium Ray-Ban or Oakley co-branded models. If budget is no object, the Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari range is the standout for build quality and prestige.

The Bottom Line

For most F1 fans in 2026, the Ray-Ban x Scuderia Ferrari range is the best all-round F1 sunglasses — premium build, official branding and a race-day-ready Category 3 tint. Want the pure sport look? Go Oakley. Love the sport over any one team? The Puma Formula 1 collection is your pick.

Round out your race-day fit with a lid from our best F1 hats guide, a proper F1 watch, and a team jacket — or find the perfect present in our best F1 gifts and F1 gifts for him roundups. Then cue up the team radio that started it all, and enjoy the show in style.