How do F1 drivers recharge during the winter break?

With the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi behind them, and the private pre-season test in Barcelona coming up at the end of January, the F1 drivers have been enjoying their winter break before getting back to work with the new season approaching.

So, what do the drivers do with all that time away from the paddock? Whether it’s proper rest, less (or more!) travel, training, or making more time for family and hobbies – the winter break provides a rare opportunity for them to switch off, reset and begin to prepare for the 2026 campaign.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways drivers unwind and reset before the paddock reassembles.

Rest!

First things first, there’s one thing the drivers are actively encouraged to do as the winter break begins: rest. Former McLaren driver and current Aston Martin Team Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa explained to the Silverstone-based team's website about the importance of stepping away completely at the end of a season, recalling how his trainer would insist on two full weeks off before any structured work resumed. As the Spaniard puts it, while elite athletes are wired to keep training, the body needs time to recover after such a long campaign.

With the Formula 1 calendar now longer and more demanding than ever, the winter downtime will help drivers to avoid burnout before they gradually gear up for the new season. Only once that rest period is over do most drivers begin to return to training – often in differing ways – building fitness up rather than jumping straight to intense race preparation.

Switching off and truly disconnecting

For most of the drivers, switching off over the winter break isn’t just about putting their phone on ‘do not disturb’ or ignoring calls from team bosses – it's about spending time with the people they rarely get to see during the chaos of the season.

George Russell has spoken about how he uses the time to step up his “uncle duties”, whereas newly-crowned World Champion Lando Norris has explained that, for him, winter is about enjoying time with his friends and family – and trying to “forget that I drive in Formula 1” for a while. Lewis Hamilton echoed this sentiment after Abu Dhabi, saying he would step away from his phone entirely and “completely unplug from the matrix” while heading to New York to spend time with friends.

Off track adventures

With no race weekends in sight, the drivers have the freedom (within reason!) to chase different adventure – and for many of them, that still comes with a healthy dose of travelling. They frequently love to explore somewhere new altogether, like Alex Albon heading off to Bhutan with his partner Lily Muni He to explore the mountain paths and breathtaking architecture. Incoming Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad has spent some time in Mumbai to reconnect with his roots ahead of his exciting career move. Russell also chose to explore the snowy Alps from above with partner Carmen Montero Mundt, and perhaps to enjoy some skiing too.

Base training

While the winter break offers a chance to slow things down, few drivers ever stop training entirely. Instead, many switch up their routines to keep things fresh and mentally engaging after a long season and plenty of workouts. Charles Leclerc, for example, has previously used winter ski camps as part of his December preparation, with cross-country skiing offering a full-body workout that builds endurance and lactic acid that would be sure to warm him up!

One element of training that is non-negotiable – even over the winter break – is general conditioning, especially vital areas such as neck strength. Gabriel Bortoleto has given fans glimpses of his winter break gym routine, whilst Valtteri Bottas has dialled up the intensity in the gym as he prepares for his return to the grid this coming season with Cadillac.

Maintaining an aerobic base is just as crucial over this period. Many drivers keep that ticking over with long bike rides (no prizes for guessing Bottas and Carlos Sainz), some steady running – Hamilton has been doing just that in New York – and, almost certainly, plenty of padel.

Hobbies, passions, and side quests

The end-of-season break is also the best time for drivers to lean into interests that sit outside the cockpit. Ever the competitors, tickling the sporting itch is a go-to activity for much of the grid. Some choose to stick to the winter theme, with Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Russell all spotted in the snow on social media. Others fancy 18 holes in the sunshine, with Sainz and Leclerc both enjoying some golf in Mexico over the years. And of course, padel and tennis remain the paddock’s favourite racquet sports, and the time off gives them all even more opportunity to improve their skills.

Liam Lawson and Gasly have spent some time in the off-season giving back to the community through some heart-warming charity work. Gasly, an ambassador for Make-A-Wish France, attended the charity’s end-of-year gala, which raised money to help the emotional wellbeing of children in care. Over in Cromwell, New Zealand, Lawson gave hot laps to winners of a silent auction to raise over NZ$50,000 for breast cancer research.

Of course, not everyone can stay away from the thrill of four wheels. Almost as soon as the 2025 season wrapped up, Max Verstappen was back in the car, as he jumped into a Mercedes GT3 for a test in Portugal. Esteban Ocon took a more nostalgic route, as he returned to his old karting track, whilst Fernando Alonso eased off the intensity with relaxed Sunday rides.