Coachella catch-ups, special show runs, and gruelling gym work – what F1 drivers have been up to before the Miami Grand Prix

After a long wait, April is almost over – which means Formula 1 returns this weekend at the Miami Grand Prix. With a month of no racing, the drivers have had the chance to spend some time away from the F1 circus, and even complete some side quests…

April has seen the grid scatter across the globe, making the most of rare downtime with family and friends, ticking-off some bucket-list experiences, and finding other ways to scratch their competitive itch. All while spending plenty of time keeping up with their fitness and preparations, of course, because make no mistake… the season has only just begun!

Franco’s fantastic homecoming

On 26 April, Franco Colapinto brought the city of Buenos Aires to a standstill. A mind-blowing 600,000 fans lined the streets of the Alpine drivers’ home city to witness one of the biggest show runs of its kind, and the reception he received was absolutely electric.

Colapinto took to the stage to address the adoring crowd before delivering an action-packed display of blistering burnouts and – much to the delight of the fans – plenty of donuts.

But perhaps the most heartwarming moment from the day’s events was when Colapinto hopped into the cockpit of Juan Manuel Fangio’s iconic Mercedes W196 – the very machinery that carried the legendary Argentine drivers to one of his five world titles. Franco called it one of the best days of his life, and it’s hard to argue with that!

Back behind the wheel

You just can’t keep these guys away from the track. Max Verstappen continued his GT racing at the Nurburgring 24-hour qualifying event, but he was not the only F1 driver to make an appearance at the historic track in April. Both McLaren and Mercedes drivers were also in action at the Nurburgring, taking to the circuit in older F1 machinery as part of Pirelli’s 2027 tyre testing programme – valuable track time indeed.

Fernando Alonso has also been back behind the wheel, getting to grips with testing the Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin Valkyrie ahead of its 2026 World Endurance Championship campaign. The Spaniard is no stranger to success in that field, having already claimed the 2018-2019 WEC title with Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Switching four wheels for two

There’s a long season ahead for drivers, so staying in shape despite the time off between Japan and Miami is crucial. Cycling is a favourite for some of the paddock, with Carlos Sainz swapping four wheels for two during the break, clocking up serious mileage on the bike as he rode through the European countryside.

Valtteri Bottas has taken that a step further. The Finn took his love of biking up a notch during his time in California, not only exploring the West Coast, but also lining up for the Sea Otter Classic, a gruelling 60-mile gravel race. The Cadillac man even finished third – a true multi-sport athlete.

California convening

With the next race taking part in the US, many of the drivers have already headed stateside – in particular, to sunny California. Bottas, dressed in true cowboy style, met up with a very familiar face at Coachella – former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo. The real question is, who did they watch perform?

Alex Albon, on the other hand, opted for a more low-key ‘no-chella” weekend, heading to Los Angeles where he caught a Dodgers baseball game, toured California’s vineyards and fit in a round of golf.

Trackside stars

Time away from racing hasn’t meant time away from the track for the Mercedes boys. George Russell enjoyed a nostalgic trip to Northern Italy, joining Toto and Susie Wolff at the South Garda Karting track, 23 years after he first visited. The Briton spent his time meeting young drivers and offering advice to the next generation.

Meanwhile, his Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli was on the ground to watch the season opener of the World Endurance Championship at his home track of Imola – with the Italian even waving the starting flag.

Staying in shape

Lewis Hamilton gave fans a glimpse of these intense workouts, posting a gruelling ab session, while Liam Lawson posted himself mid-gym session with a sweet treat. However, it’s not all about staying ready physically – time in the simulator is also invaluable for getting mentally ready for Miami, with Arvid Lindblad clearly putting in the hours in April.

London calling

Despite not being on track, the drivers haven’t forgotten their loyal fans. Haas duo Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon headed to London’s Carnaby Street for a meet and greet, spending time with supporters – check out those queues!

Elsewhere in the British capital, there was a special runner during this year’s London Marathon – four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Running with F1’s Tom Clarkson for the Grand Prix Trust and the Brain & Spine Foundation, the German clocked a stunning time of 2:59:08 – an incredible achievement for the 38-year-old.

Relaxing and reflection

With April usually being a busy month for the drivers as they jet off to multiple race weekends, this year has provided a unique opportunity to live life in the slow lane and spend quality time at home.

Lawson spent precious time unwinding with family and teeing off on the golf course – inevitably getting his adrenaline hit with some motocross laps too. Meanwhile Pierre Gasly went full sports fan mode, catching some football games in Paris and Milan.

It’s also the perfect time to reflect, and two stars of the season so far have been soaking it all in. Championship leader Antonelli has been soaking up every moment of the season so far, both on and off-track, and Racing Bulls rookie Lindblad will be sure to remember his first few months as an F1 driver!

But Gabriel Bortoleto made it clear, as much as he’s enjoying some well-deserved downtime – these guys can’t wait to get back racing!