Drivers find different ways to recharge

With Formula 1’s summer break in full swing, drivers have been making the most of time away from the intense rhythm of race weekends. Some have relaxed with family and friends, while others have stayed active through cycling, golf, water sports and even further testing.

Ocon takes Spider-Man collaboration to the red carpet

Esteban Ocon began his break with a high-profile appearance at the London premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, walking the red carpet with his partner Flavy. The Haas driver, a self-confessed Marvel superfan, had already embraced the collaboration by wearing a bespoke Spider-Man helmet at the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix and unveiling it with Tom Holland.

Ocon brought the helmet to the premiere as a distinctive accessory before spending more time sightseeing and playing tourist during his break.

Albon makes a flying visit to South Africa

Alex Albon packed a surprising amount into a brief 10-hour trip to South Africa for a Williams fan appearance. He met the country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, spoke to thousands of supporters at a Williams partner event and sampled local cuisine.

The visit also made Albon the first active Williams driver to travel to South Africa since Alain Prost won the South African Grand Prix in 1993.

Bottas swaps four wheels for a gravel bike

Valtteri Bottas continued his racing beyond the circuit by competing in the UCI Gravel World Series in Hlinsko. He covered 131 kilometres and finished fifth in his age group against experienced competitors, earning qualification for the World Championships.

His partner Tiffany Cromwell also produced a strong result, finishing seventh in her category. Bottas has balanced the competitive effort with sauna sessions, open-water swimming and quieter downtime ahead of the season’s restart.

Golf, boats and jet skis fill the downtime

Golf remains a popular way for the grid to relax while maintaining concentration and competitive focus. Lewis Hamilton played alongside Australian PGA golfer Min Woo Lee, while Oscar Piastri appeared to be pursuing a place in McLaren’s golf project alongside Justin Rose.

Several drivers also took to the water. Kimi Antonelli shared footage of a morning spent riding the waves, while Piastri opted for a more peaceful coastal escape. George Russell marked the start of his break with a jet-ski outing soundtracked by the James Bond theme.

Family time and tyre testing

The break has also allowed drivers to reconnect with loved ones. Gabriel Bortoleto spent time by the sea with friends and his partner Isabella, while Ocon continued his holiday after the London premiere.

Not every driver left the circuit behind. Franco Colapinto stayed at the Hungaroring for Pirelli tyre testing alongside Bortoleto and Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford. The trio completed screening runs on different C3 tyre options before undertaking longer runs to assess performance and degradation.

For the drivers, the summer pause has therefore offered a mixture of genuine rest, personal pursuits and preparation for the return to racing at the end of August.