Engagements, doughnuts, and gym sessions with Mum: What F1 drivers have got up to during the mini-break

Follow us on Google Discover

The Formula 1 calendar has an unusual three-week break between the Singapore and United States Grands Prix, owing to the scheduling issue thrown up by a last-minute change of dates.

While F1 fans are used to the summer break between the end of July and August, the current four-week hiatus has taken a few by surprise as the next race does not take place until 20th October.

Part of the reason for this lies within F1’s ambitions to group more races together based on their geographical location, as they aim to meet carbon-neutral goals.

Azerbaijan has shifted from its usual date in May to September, while the Japanese Grand Prix has moved from autumn to April. The decision to move the race in Japan came too late for the other races to be rescheduled, which led to the current four-week break.

Moving the US GP was deemed unfeasible due to its role in teh triple-header with Mexico and Brazil, and Qatar also had to be moved after the extreme temperatures experienced in October last year.

With that in mind, drivers have taken to social media to show what they have been getting up to while on the current break.

George Russell heads to the gym and Alex Albon does doughnuts in Brazil

Drivers usually take the time out to rest and recover before what will be an intense final six races of the season, with the US, Brazil, and Mexico grouped together along with Qatar, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi.

In the case of George Russell, he has been training along with his mum and girlfriend at the gym recently, while Oscar Piastri has been resting on holiday.

Alex Albon took part in a promotional event for Williams in Sao Paulo, doing doughnuts in a 2022 Williams on a demonstration run. Teams are allowed to run cars that are more than two years old than the current specification.

Lando Norris appears to have took part in a fashion shoot coinciding with the recent fashion weeks, while Charles Leclerc attended a friend’s wedding engagement in Monte Carlo.

Season all set for intense final six races in the championship battle

McLaren and Red Bull will be battling for the Constructors’ Championship with just 40 points separating them heading into the final six races.

Red Bull has switched focus to defending Max Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship while McLaren is hoping Lando Norris can close the gap, with it potentially set to unleash more upgrades.

Mercedes will be bringing ‘substantial’ upgrades on their car in a bid to catch up to their rivals, while Ferrari is also planning a small update for the end of the season.

The battle at the back of the pack is also taking shape between RB, Haas and Williams who are all looking to score points so they can finish in sixth.