An F1 driver lives tied to a calendar of 24 races or more, with travel, simulator, gym and sponsor commitments. The gaps that remain —especially in the summer break— reveal what they are like without a helmet. The grid's hobbies are more varied than one might think: from extreme sport to music, from video games to magic.
Hobbies, driver by driver
VerstappenSim racing
He is the grid's big sim racing fan: he spends many hours on the simulator even when there is no Grand Prix.
LeclercPiano
His second passion is the piano; he also makes music and has businesses such as the LEC ice cream brand.
NorrisSim racing and streaming
He spends hours on platforms such as iRacing when at home and, according to earlier articles, streams on Twitch.
AlonsoMagic and skiing
The media mention his hobby of card tricks and his ski days in Val Gardena.
HamiltonAdventure
He has been learning skydiving for years and during the 2026 summer break was seen at the beach, playing paintball and surfing.
PiastriCycling and video games
During the 2026 summer break he combined off-road cycling with the World Rally Championship video game.
BottasGravel
He has taken up gravel cycling since he met his partner.
Sim racing: the most repeated hobby
Few drivers drive as much as Max Verstappen, and a good part of that driving is virtual. The media describe him as the grid's big sim racing fan, with many hours on the simulator even when there is no Grand Prix. Lando Norris shares that passion: he spends hours on platforms such as iRacing when at home and, according to earlier articles, streams on Twitch.
Music, magic and adventure
Charles Leclerc finds his calm away from engines at the piano, which the media describe as his second passion; he also makes music. Fernando Alonso, according to the press, has card tricks as a hobby and has been seen skiing in Val Gardena. Lewis Hamilton has been learning skydiving for years and during the 2026 summer break was seen at the beach, playing paintball and surfing. Valtteri Bottas has taken up gravel cycling since he met his partner.
The summer break
The summer break is the championship's big window to switch off. In 2026, according to Yahoo Sports, Oscar Piastri combined mountain biking with the World Rally Championship video game. Formula1.com has dedicated recurring articles to reviewing what drivers did in those weeks, from golf to motorbike racing and film premieres.
Frequently asked questions
What hobbies do F1 drivers have?
Verstappen and Norris, sim racing; Leclerc, piano; Hamilton, skydiving; Alonso, card magic and skiing; Piastri, off-road cycling.
Sources
- Motors Addict · F1 drivers' hobbies: what the grid gets up to when the helmet comes off
- Yahoo Sports · How F1 drivers spent the 2026 summer break
- Yahoo Sports · How F1 drivers get their adrenaline fix off-track
- Roundtable · Beyond the steering wheel: the hidden talents of F1 drivers
- Formula1.com · What F1 drivers have been up to during the summer break
Figures and quotes come from the linked sources and may have changed since.
Notice: informative and entertainment content compiled from public sources and press reports, cited above. It has not been verified or authorised by the people mentioned, may contain errors or be out of date, and value figures are third-party estimates, not official valuations. Brands and logos belong to their owners. To correct or remove an item, write to us from About. About