Theme songs from F1 and car races. Classic tracks that are also great for driving.
What kind of background music do you choose when you go for a drive? If you’re a fan of motorsports like F1, many of you might enjoy playlists that compile historic Formula 1 Grand Prix theme songs.
Even if you’re not deeply familiar with F1, these tracks are all full of exhilarating energy—perfect for driving.
Popular songs are often used in commercials and TV programs, so you might recognize them even if you don’t know their titles.
In this article, we’re bringing you a collection of theme songs from F1 and other car races.
Be sure to check out which bands and artists are behind them!
- Perfect for sports or driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that will get you pumped
- Popular songs from the Fast & Furious series
- [Fuel Your Fighting Spirit] An Adrenaline-Pumping Fight Song
- Nostalgic Songs Perfect as Driving BGM for People in Their 40s
- [Hype Songs] A must-listen for athletes and sports lovers! A curated selection of tracks that boost motivation
- For people in their 50s: Songs that make you want to sing—perfect for driving
- [2026] Entrance Music for Sports: Cool Western Songs and Entrance BGMs
- Recommended songs for a drive (for people in their 30s)
- Dedicated to all riders! Songs that match your bike and rider anthems for touring and trips
- Recommended music for marathons: uplifting songs that give you the courage to power through
- [Night Drive] Songs recommended for nighttime drives
- [Standard] A Collection of Songs You Want to Listen to While Driving—Tunes You'll Find Yourself Humming
- Honda commercial songs: introducing memorable past CM tracks and the latest buzzworthy tunes
Theme songs of F1 and car races. Classic tracks also recommended for driving (21–30)
Blood AlleyRonnie Montrose
A thrilling hard rock instrumental number that kicks off with a rousing, roaring guitar riff! It was used in 2000 as the starting grid introduction music for the F1 Grand Prix broadcast, helping to pump up the show.
The track was crafted by guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who not only made his mark in hard rock but excelled across genres, leaving behind many memorable performances.
He worked with legendary musicians like Van Morrison and Edgar Winter, earning high praise as a session guitarist; it’s also well known that Sammy Hagar—who would later become the vocalist for Van Halen—was a member of Montrose, the band Ronnie led.
Montrose was hailed as “America’s answer to Led Zeppelin,” showcasing Ronnie’s explosive, dynamic riffs.
This is a top-tier instrumental that lets you fully enjoy Ronnie’s signature playing!
Flash’s Theme 2007 High Octane MixQueen
Flash’s Theme is a song by Queen, the world-famous rock band from the United Kingdom.
The lyrics and composition were handled by guitarist Brian May, and it’s a track known for its tense bass line, call-and-response vocals, and soaring high-register choruses.
While it serves as the theme song for the film Flash Gordon, it was also used as the theme for Fuji TV’s Formula 1 broadcasts from 2007 to 2008.
That version was titled Flash: The Legendary Hero (High-Octane Mix), and Brian May himself reportedly created a new remix specifically for the program.
Many F1 fans likely look back fondly on that period, remembering the opening sequence that featured the program’s animation.
Theme songs for F1 and car races. Classic tracks also recommended for driving (31–40)
jetMorizono Katsutoshi
It’s a crossover of rock and fusion—a technically exhilarating sprint with catchy melodies and slick, playful arrangement choices that make it a standout track.
The song “JET” was created by guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono, a founding member of the legendary Japanese progressive band Yonin Bayashi.
Morizono, who has been active across genres both as a solo artist and a session guitarist, included this track on his 1991 solo album “DOWN FORCE,” and it was also released as a tanzaku single.
There’s actually a bit of a story behind this song: it was supposed to be used as the winning theme for F1 driver Jean Alesi, but that opportunity ultimately never came to pass.
Secret of the StarsMarty Friedman
This is the song that was used as the starting grid introduction music for the 2011 F1 Grand Prix.
It showcases Marty Friedman’s strengths, and of course the guitar is awesome!
Death Alley DriverRainbow
This is a song that was used as the introduction track for the starting grid at the 2007 F1 Grand Prix.
The guitar and vocals never get in each other’s way and always sound cool.
Even though it’s a high-tempo rock piece, it’s comfortable to listen to.
Walk OnU2
Hailing from Ireland, U2—one of the world’s most famous rock bands—released this classic track on their 2000 album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” and it went on to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
In the 1990s, U2 pursued many experimental sounds in step with the times, but with the dawn of the 2000s they returned to their roots with a grand rock sound, earning high acclaim for the album.
This song, too, is a quintessential U2 mid-tempo number: simple yet marked by delicate arrangements and a beautiful melody.
A decade after its release, it was chosen as the ending theme for the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix.
It also seems perfect for setting the mood as background music on a aimless drive!
Into the ArenaMichael Schenker Group
Even just the opening, which kicks off with a heavy triplet guitar riff, is unbelievably thrilling and cool! This instrumental number, “Into the Arena,” is a bona fide classic that was even hailed after its release as a model for rock instrumentals.
It appears on the 1980 album “The Michael Schenker Group” (also known in Japan as “Kami [The Return of the Flying Arrow]”), which guitar legend Michael Schenker released after leaving Scorpions and forming his own band, M.S.G.
Despite its simple structure, the track packs in an unparalleled dose of guitar coolness and rock dynamism.
What’s great is that it impresses not with a tightly scripted solo, but with improvisation-driven playing.
The weeping guitar in the latter half is nothing short of a masterful performance.
The song was also used in 1997 as the theme for introducing the starting grid on Fuji TV’s F1 Grand Prix broadcasts.