Between Miami and the Canadian Grand Prix, F1 drivers filled their schedules with everything from glamorous events to motorsport thrills. From red carpets to karting competitions, they kept busy before heading to Montreal.
As F1 gears up for the Canadian Grand Prix, drivers have been anything but idle during the break. After Miami, they found time for a mix of glamour, fitness, and racing nostalgia.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc took a detour to the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival. Sainz, alongside Rebecca Donaldson, and Leclerc, with Alexandra, graced the red carpet on separate nights. Cannes has become a popular destination for F1 stars, with previous appearances by Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon adding to its allure.
Isack Hadjar embraced his role as flag-waver at the MotoGP race in Le Mans. The Red Bull driver swapped helmets with Jorge Martin and Fabio Quartararo, celebrating Martin's sprint and Grand Prix victories with a personal touch.
Even with a break from F1, the lure of racing remains strong. Hadjar, Gasly, and Ocon visited Circuit Paul Ricard for the Historic French GP. The event, featuring legends like Alain Prost and Jean Alesi, was a celebration of French motorsport. Ocon had the chance to drive Alesi’s 1995 Ferrari, while Gasly took a spin in the Renault RS10. Hadjar showcased his RB22, delighting fans at the historic venue.
Oscar Piastri, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Alex Albon rekindled their competitive spirits with some karting before the Canadian GP. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen took on the Nurburgring 24 Hours in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. His promising run was cut short by a driveshaft failure, but not before showing his GT prowess.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli mixed workouts with simulator time to stay sharp. Russell also watched his Mercedes team win at Nurburgring, while Antonelli prepped in San Marino. Valtteri Bottas, never one to skip a challenge, participated in a cycling race in Australia, winning his age group.
For Monaco residents like Lando Norris, the Formula E weekend provided a motorsport fix. Norris, Bortoleto, and Nico Hulkenberg mingled at the Monaco E-Prix, eager for their turn on the iconic streets.
Carlos Sainz had the honour of testing F1’s latest circuit, the Madring. The track combines public roads and permanent sections, with its standout feature, ‘La Monumental,’ boasting a 24% banking slope.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad graced the cover of _Esses_ magazine, skateboard in hand, showing off his interests beyond racing. Just a few races into his F1 career, Lindblad is already making waves off the track.
With all this activity, the drivers are more than ready for the Montreal showdown. They’ve packed a lot into their schedules, making the most of every moment before returning to the F1 spotlight.