Birthdays, fancy costume, and off-track enjoyable – What the Formula 1 drivers have been as much as forward of the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

With an thrilling weekend of racing in Baku ready simply across the nook, the drivers loved a uncommon pause earlier than heading to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After a busy run of races post-summer break, the previous week gave them a short likelihood to reset – although in true paddock style, there was no scarcity of motion away from the monitor.

From birthday bashes to soccer matches, and even some two-wheel motion, the drivers discovered their very own methods to unwind and cost their batteries. Some swapped helmets for costumes, others headed to occasions or laced up trainers – and a few unsurprisingly couldn’t resist extra time behind the wheel…

Max Verstappen on the Nurburgring

Fresh from his Italian Grand Prix victory, Max Verstappen didn’t precisely swap off throughout the break. Instead, he took to the legendary Nurburgring, the place he earned a Permit A – permitting him to race sooner GT3 equipment in future.

Verstappen has already constructed a powerful status on the planet of sim racing, often competing in endurance occasions on-line. Now, along with his new licence, he’s a step nearer to taking up the identical challenges behind the wheel of a GT3 automobile. For a driver who by no means appears to cease racing, it looks like a pure addition to his successes.

Off-track sporting adventures

Pierre Gasly swapped steering wheels for rackets as he attended the Alpine Paris Major Premier Padel event – however he wasn’t simply there to observe. Alongside getting caught into the competitors, he additionally had the honour of handing out trophies to the winners.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda headed to San Siro to catch AC Milan in motion, and likewise linked up with footballing legend Luka Modric.

Swapping four-wheels for 2

Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli headed to San Marino to swap 4 wheels for 2 at MotoGP. The spotlight? Lando assembly his childhood hero Valentino Rossi – an encounter he summed up on Instagram: “Whoever said don’t meet your heroes deffo never met Vale.”

Antonelli additionally caught up with Rossi, with the pair sharing a heat second as fellow countrymen – a gathering of motorsport generations that followers liked to see.

Turning 29 within the sky

There was hardly time for a sit-down social gathering to rejoice his birthday – so as a substitute Esteban Ocon marked his birthday en path to Baku. The celebrations kicked off mid-journey with Lando Norris, Jack Doohan, Ollie Bearman, and Nico Hulkenberg all becoming a member of in. Candles, cake, and cabin strain: an unconventional however memorable method to rejoice. Happy birthday Esteban!

Never too removed from a race go well with

George Russell and girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt saved the social gathering spirit alive over the brief break, displaying up at a elaborate costume bash with each kitted out as – what else – a racing driver. It was a tongue-in-cheek nod to his day job, proving even when he is off responsibility, racing isn’t removed from his thoughts.

But… who wore it higher?