The break between the British and Belgian Grands Prix in July 2026 offered Formula 1® drivers a chance to step away from the track and enjoy a variety of activities. From the historic Goodwood Festival of Speed to the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament, many drivers took the opportunity to engage in leisure pursuits and promotional events before the championship resumed at Spa-Francorchamps.
Among the highlights, Lando Norris made his debut in McLaren’s MCL-HY hypercar at Goodwood, marking a celebration of his 2025 title. He also practiced drifting and shared moments with Valentino Rossi. McLaren showcased their 1994 MP4/8 chassis powered by a Chrysler-Lamborghini V12 engine, demonstrated by Bruno Senna for the first time in public. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli appeared at Goodwood for the first time, driving the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed. Red Bull’s Adrian Newey tested the RB17 hypercar, with drivers Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, and Alisha Palmowski also taking turns behind the wheel of the RB17 and other historic cars.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad enjoyed driving various cars and performing donuts in their VCARB RB8s. Williams restored Damon Hill’s FW18 for a special run, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his 1996 title. Aston Martin featured the AMR25 and Honda cars, with Jessica Hawkins and Jak Crawford participating. Alpine sent several drivers up the Goodwood hill in a Lotus E20 sporting Alpine livery and presented the Alpine A110 FUTURE electric sports car.
At Wimbledon, Kimi Antonelli met tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Roger Federer, and notably, Antonelli successfully defended his Wimbledon title. Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, George Russell, and Pierre Gasly were also present at the tournament. Ferrari prepared for the September Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit by filming maiden laps with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton driving the SF-26. The Tour de France continued during this period, with Tadej Pogacar leading the race and Carlos Sainz showing support on social media. Valtteri Bottas spent his break cycling in Aspen, Colorado.
This period between races showcased the diverse interests and commitments of Formula 1® drivers beyond the racetrack. Their participation in events like Goodwood and Wimbledon, along with preparations for upcoming races, reflected the broader culture surrounding the sport. The activities also offered fans a glimpse of the drivers’ lives away from competition, highlighting their engagement with motorsport heritage, other sports, and new circuits.
As the championship moved from Silverstone to Spa-Francorchamps, these off-track moments provided a varied backdrop to the racing calendar. The drivers’ involvement in historic car runs, tennis tournaments, and circuit testing underlined the multifaceted nature of their roles in the sport and its community.
