Olympic flames, training camps, and engagements – What Formula 1 drivers were up to during the remainder of the off-season

With an exciting brand-new season just around the corner, the drivers have been back to work putting in the miles at the Barcelona Shakedown. However, after a quiet month in December, there was still some time before travelling to Barcelona to get in some downtime, and there will be a few more opportunities ahead of the first pre-season test in Bahrain.

From intense training camps to basketball matches and even an engagement, the drivers have made the most of their time away from racing. Some joined in on Olympic preparations, others headed to cycling races or laced up running shoes – and several unsurprisingly couldn’t resist more time behind the wheel…

Snowy pursuits

With the Winter Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, drivers have been getting into the spirit themselves during the off-season. Ollie Bearman and Pierre Gasly both headed for the mountains as part of their pre-season preparations, an adrenaline-filled break balancing serious training with some well-earned fun in the snow.

Enjoying his start to the year as Red Bull reserve, Yuki Tsunoda also got in on some chilly action, but with a competitive twist. Showing off his skills on the snowboard, Tsunoda took part in a charity team competition in Austria that was also attended by Sebastian Vettel – a wholesome reunion!

And then there was Kimi Antonelli. The Italian enjoyed a truly special moment as he carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Palmanova ahead of his home Winter Games. The rain didn’t dampen his spirits, even breaking into a run for the final section – classic racing driver competitiveness! It was certainly an unforgettable honour, and we’re sure the 19-year-old will be following the action closely.

Looking back

The new year and season have clearly put a few members of the grid in a reflective mood. Lance Stroll marked 20 years as a racing driver by sharing a wholesome montage tracing his journey from his go-karting days to F1, capturing the highest highs and the lowest lows throughout that time. It was a heartwarming compilation that demonstrated all the hard work and dedication that goes into a driver’s journey to the top of the sport. We’re looking forward to seeing another reminiscent video recap in another 20 years, Lance!

Meanwhile, new Racing Bulls recruit Arvid Lindblad celebrated his first days as an F1 driver by taking a trip down memory lane – albeit a slightly shorter one than Stroll, given he’s still only 18! A series of throwback snaps charted his rapid rise through the ranks, and it’s safe to say that young Arvid sat in a toy car all those years ago would be pretty proud. We’re not crying… you are!

Never one to miss a trend, Franco Colapinto treated fans to a throwback collection of photos showing a fresh-faced 12-year-old Franco in 2016. One thing that hasn’t changed in the last decade? His love of being behind the wheel. There’s even a surprise cameo from a young Sergio Perez during his Force India days, with the Cadillac man commenting how old this blast from the past made him feel – us too, Sergio, us too.

Season preparation

The calm and relaxation of December is long behind the drivers now – intense training is back in full swing. Pre-season camps are up and running, with the likes of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz putting in the miles running and cycling to sharpen their cardio. Valtteri Bottas put a competitive spin on his training, taking part in a gravel bike race in his adopted homeland of Australia.

Running and gym work were high on the priority list for Gasly, Lindblad, and Stroll, as the paddock get their bodies ready for another physically demanding year of racing.

Much to celebrate

Despite the extended time away from racing, January has still delivered some moments worthy of celebration. Congratulations are in order for Albon and his fiancée, Lily Muni He, who got engaged at the start of the month – announcing it on social media with an adorable snap showing off the ring!

Meanwhile, at the shakedown in Barcelona, Perez had an exciting birthday gift – taking his Cadillac for plenty of testing laps! A tough but valuable day at work for the Mexican, but his day was made a bit more memorable as his new team gave the 36-year-old the unforgettable gift of their first brake disc!

Livery and team kit reveals

You know that racing isn’t too far away when drivers’ social feeds start filling up with liveries, team kits and behind-the-scenes content – and January has already delivered a wave of design reveals, leaving the drivers feeling like kids at Christmas!

Alpine duo Gasly and Colapinto headed to Barcelona for their floating reveal on a boat, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton shared behind-the-scenes moments from Ferrari’s launch at their test track in Fiorano. New team mates Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar crossed the pond for Red Bull’s unveiling in Detroit, celebrating the team’s new powertrain partnership with Ford and fresh throwback livery in fittingly bold surroundings. Audi, meanwhile, marked the start of their F1 era with a launch in Berlin, as Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto got their first look at the car following the transition from Kick Sauber.

And there’s plenty more still to come! With Williams, Cadillac, McLaren and Aston Martin yet to reveal the look of their 2026 challengers, expect drivers’ feeds to stay busy in the weeks ahead…

Back behind the wheel

You can’t keep F1 drivers away from things with four wheels, and for two French drivers, the temptation to feel speed again was just too much. Hadjar found himself in the passenger seat during a Red Bull rally-raid challenge – he looked like he enjoyed himself between the hair-raising drops and climbs!

Go-karts and buggies were on the agenda for Esteban Ocon, who posted a YouTube video featuring his antics at the Aunay-les-Bois International Circuit in France. You can’t keep these guys away from chasing thrills!

Recharge

In the calm before the storm of a new season, there’s always time for family and friends. Leclerc combined training, family time, and playtime with dog Leo, of course, while he was back in Monaco. Oscar Piastri returned Down Under for a relaxing break away from the limelight, and Liam Lawson was busy in New Zealand dirt biking, being on uncle duty, and DJing!