The 2026 season has been an epic one so far. After Kimi Antonelli stormed the first part of the campaign, there have been five different winners in the past five races \u2013 and the pack seems to just keep getting ever closer.<\/p>\n
The dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix brings us to a well-deserved breather before returning to action at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort from 21-23 August. This is what\u2019s known as the Formula 1 summer shutdown \u2013 an FIA-mandated two-week factory closure for every single team on the grid.<\/p>\n
That means no wind tunnel testing, no working on car developments, and no late-night simulator runs. These few weeks are all about making sure all the hard-working people in the paddock get some time to rest.<\/p>\n
That said, the shutdown rules take on a slightly different dimension for the drivers. They can finally recharge in their own way, like they can’t during the depths of the season, including diverse training methods, enjoying some hobbies, catching up on sleep and spending time with family and friends \u2013 it’s all about perfect preparation for a second-half sprint to the season finale.<\/p>\n
Why is the summer break so important?<\/p>\n
Especially during the first week of the three-week break \u2013 you\u2019d be hard stretched to find the drivers doing anything but relaxing, both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n
With each season long and intense, the drivers spend more and more time travelling and weeks (or even months) at a time away from friends and family. Lots of days are spent battling jet lag, recovering from races, and attending plenty of media commitments. So, whether the season is going well \u2013 or not \u2013 the break is welcomed by all of the drivers.<\/p>\n
After an up-and-down first half of the season, Mercedes<\/a> man George Russell<\/a> made it clear he was ready for a break. \u201cSo many things have happened this year,\u201d Russell said. \u201cThe break is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n That said, a few drivers have admitted that, while the rest is welcomed, it won\u2019t be long before they\u2019re itching for some racing action again. Talking to Sky Sports ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, championship leader Kimi Antonelli<\/a> doesn\u2019t think it will be long before he\u2019s wanting to get back into racing again.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter four or five days, I\u2019m going to be bored and wanting to get back in the car,” he said. “But, luckily, the place I\u2019m going to has a go-kart track so I can practice.\u201d<\/p>\n However the drivers choose to spend their break, it’s greatly deserved and will give them the reset they need for a strong end to the year. Don\u2019t just take our word for it \u2013 Lewis Hamilton<\/a> encompasses it well on his Instagram during the 2025 break…<\/p>\n Disconnecting<\/p>\n Plenty of the drivers choose to go entirely off-grid during the break \u2013 and there are few places more remote than the sea. Heading out onto the water seems to be the top way to disconnect for many of the drivers, so brace yourselves for the social media posts.<\/p>\n That said, heading out to the water isn\u2019t the only way to mentally disconnect from the sport, as Hamilton has shown over the years. He has often spoken about the importance of connecting to nature and visiting new places during his breaks from racing. Over the past few years, he\u2019s documented his surfing, hiking, meditation \u2013 anything that takes him far from the noise of F1.<\/p>\n Your favourite driver may go silent on socials over the break \u2013 but there\u2019s no need for concern. Some drivers best disconnect by switching off their phones, steering clear of any F1 headlines, and enjoy uninterrupted time with family and friends.<\/p>\n Leaning into life beyond the racetrack<\/p>\n The break also gives the drivers the opportunity to dive into their passions beyond the racetrack, and many of these have nothing to do with speed. While they might seem like distractions from racing \u2013 delving into these hobbies can improve their mental health and stop burnout \u2013 and over the break, give their minds a new focus.<\/p>\n We wonder if Charles Leclerc<\/a> will find some more time to play the piano, if Liam Lawson<\/a> will do likewise for some guitar practice and if Bottas has a cycling race on the agenda, or if Lando Norris<\/a> or Max Verstappen<\/a> are planning any gaming fun during the break.<\/p>\n Keeping fit<\/p>\n This might not come as a surprise, but plenty of the drivers can\u2019t keep still for long. Good thing too, as it\u2019s important for them to stay ready for the rest of the season. This is usually done with low-impact sessions such as swimming, recovery rides, stretching, and yoga to keep the bodies ready but without providing much strain \u2013 and of course, low injury risk!<\/p>\n Needless to say, Carlos Sainz<\/a> will be keeping pretty active over this year’s break, with \u201cplenty of golf, plenty of padel, and hopefully some activities with my nephews\u201d on the agenda.<\/p>\n Speaking of padel, you\u2019ll likely see plenty of drivers heading to their local padel courts \u2013 the racquet sport having become a hobby for a number of them on the grid. It\u2019s a way for them to stay social and have fun but keep those reflexes sharp and competitive instinct alive.<\/p>\n Driver’s love to try out the things they don’t have time for during the season \u2013 so we always see an excellent variety of physical activities attempted over the break. Anything as serene as hiking like Alex Albon<\/a>, or as adventurous as diving like Russell \u2013 all these activities will benefit them going into the second half of the season.<\/p>\n Back on track<\/p>\n Whilst all official tests are forbidden over the summer shutdown, Pirelli tyre testing is one way that drivers can get more laps in in their cars. Franco Colapinto<\/a> and Gabriel Bortoleto<\/a> are two of those that remained on track for tyre testing at the start of the break, whilst Jak Crawford has been putting the work in for Aston Martin<\/a>.<\/p>\n