F1 Drivers Share Glimpses of Holiday Festivities
After a grueling 2025 season, F1 drivers are enjoying a brief holiday respite with family and friends. Social media posts from stars like Piastri, Russell, and Bottas offer a look into their downtime before the intense 2026 preparations begin.
With the 2025 season concluded and the massive 2026 regulation overhaul on the horizon, the F1 grid has taken a well-deserved break for the holidays. Drivers have been sharing glimpses of their festive downtime on social media, offering a rare look at their lives away from the track before the intense work for the new season begins.
Why it matters:
This brief pause is more than just a vacation; it's a crucial mental reset before one of the most significant technical changes in F1 history. These personal moments humanize the drivers, strengthening their connection with fans and providing a sense of calm before the storm of a new, highly competitive era.
The details:
- Oscar Piastri: The McLaren driver sent Christmas wishes from his home in Australia, enjoying a Southern Hemisphere summer holiday.
- Esteban Ocon: The Alpine driver enjoyed a quiet festive period, showcasing his celebrations with his cat.
- Valtteri Bottas: True to form, the Stake F1 driver shared a fun-loving and unconventional Christmas post with his friend, sports photographer Paul Ripke.
- George Russell: The Mercedes driver celebrated with his girlfriend, Carmen, sharing moments from their festive break.
- Kimi Antonelli: The Mercedes junior and future F1 driver posted festive photos enjoying quality time with his family.
- Gabriel Bortoleto: The 2026 Sauber rookie spent the holidays with his wider family in his hometown of São Paulo, Brazil.
- Lance Stroll: The Aston Martin driver shared several photos from his winter break, highlighting time spent with family.
What's next:
The holiday cheer will be short-lived. Teams and drivers will soon regroup to finalize preparations for the 2026 challengers, with pre-season testing looming on the horizon. The brief respite will be over as the entire paddock gears up for a new chapter in Formula 1, defined by new engine and aerodynamic regulations.