What exactly do Formula 1™ drivers get up to during their time off?
It’s time to cut loose! From 24th November to 17th March, Formula 1™ takes a break and the drivers leave their cars back in the stable and return home to relax. And during the hols, Kimi, Fernando, Sebastian and the gang all have different agendas. Let’s take a look at what they all get up to.
Living at 200 mph, like Kimi Räikkönnen
Kimi Räikkönen is a madman. Even when he’s not haring round the racetrack, The Iceman manages to live life at 200 mph. Not one to laze in the sun with a book on a Caribbean beach, the Finn prefers, in true Nordic style, to spend his holidays playing ice hockey or snowmobile racing back in Finland. In order to remain incognito, the Lotus driver has adopted the perfect pseudonym: “James Hunt” It was under this guise, inherited from the coolest driver in Formula 1™ history that Räikkönen won a snowmobile race back in the 2007 winter break. So as not to be recognised, the Finn even donned a gorilla costume. Rock’n’roll!
Keeping Fit, like Jenson Button
For some drivers, sport and competition are like drugs. Even when the season’s over and the cars are back in the garages, working up a tan in the sun or shopping with her Ladyship are the last things on their minds. No sir, they prefer stretching their bodies to the limit (again!) and taking on new challenges. That’s certainly true of Jenson Button. The 2009 world champion, a keen triathlete, uses the winter break to stay in shape. The Brit often heads down to the specialist health club La Santa in Lanzarote (the Canaries) to keep fit. Button is a rather serious chap, who explained back in 2008: “I like coming here because I can get away from distractions like my family, my girlfriend or my mates, who’d prefer to go to the pub than train with me.” Cycling, windsurfing, surfing and jogging are the order of the day. The perfect recipe for returning to the paddock in tiptop shape.
Put in some overtime, like the chequered flag
Just back from Brazil, and just as it thought the season was over, the chequered flag is back on the job. F1 may have taken a break, but not our chequered friend – a little winter job awaits. From 8 December to 1 February 2014, the chequered flag will be on tour in the Alps and Pyrenees, signalling the finishing line for the drivers of the Andros Trophy. Then, and only then, will our busy flag be able to take a break. It’s thinking of Croatia for its annual holidays. It seems that in the country of Davos Suker, black and white squares reign supreme.
Tying the knot, like Fernando Alonso and Pastor Maldonaldo
Being a Formula 1™ driver is not exactly the ideal job for a happy family life, or even a tranquil love life. That’s why some champions wait for the winter break to tie the knot. It was true of Fernando Alonso, who got married incognito in 2006 on his Asturian estate with Spanish singer Raquel Del Rosario. A very hush-hush wedding, followed by a trip to a paradise island in the Maldives to celebrate the event with around fifty friends. Alas, the couple have since gone their separate ways. This did not deter Pastor Maldonaldo from following in the footsteps of the former world champion. The Venezuelan married his compatriot Gabriela Tarkanyi on 15 December 2012 back home, in the heart of the Canaima National Park.
Taking it easy in the vat, like G.H.MUMM champagne
After all the Formula 1™ celebrations, champagne takes advantage of the winter to bounce back better than ever. In December, the wine from the autumn harvests unwinds in the vat in Reims. It is there, in the cellars of the great G.H.MUMM family home that it spends Christmas, while its cousins from previous vintages sparkle on the world’s finest tables. Cosseted by oenologists, it enjoys a bit of freedom, before being blended in January then fermenting in a bottle. In early March, in better shape than ever, its 3-year old elders are ready for celebrating on the podium with the winning drivers.
Returning to the fold, like Sebastian Vettel
During the 9 months of the Formula 1™ season, between the trials, the sponsor obligations and above all the Grand Prix contested all around the world, the drivers have little time to devote to their families. And so it is that on 24th November, after the Brazil Grand Prix, many drivers simply return home. Home sweet home. The Mexican Esteban Gutierrez often kills two birds with one stone, using his break with his family back home to taste a little tequila for a sponsor. As for Sebastian Vettel, he likes to celebrate his wins calmly, at home in Switzerland, in Ellinghausen, far from the media buzz. Tucked away up in the mountains, where as the saying goes, “There are more cows than people and your neighbours are never a problem”, the German can savour life and reflect on his achievements with his pretty girlfriend Hanna Prater, in front of a crackling fire, with a glass of champagne in hand of course.
Having a makeover, like the safety car
Once again this year, the safety car was put to work. It was seen in emergency action all round the world. Its reassuring flashing light was in particular demand in Monaco, Austin and Korea. After another season of fine and loyal service, it felt it deserved a rest. It’s only logical that the safety car should spend an unpretentious winter with the family at Mercedes in Stuttgart. A sure-fire way to receive a makeover at the hands of German engineers and come back sprucier than ever in 2014.
Chilling out like Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez
During the 9 months of the Formula 1™ season, between the trials, the sponsor obligations and above all the Grand Prix contested all around the world, the drivers have little time to loaf around. For this reason, during the winter break, while some are thinking of getting their bodies in shape for the coming season, others prefer a bit of sunbathing and boating on Paradise beach. This year, Romain Grosjean opted for the relaxation/dream island combination. The French driver spent a few days on Mauritius at the St. Regis Hotel with his girlfriend Marion Jollès and their son. Checo Perez also plumped for the white sands. The Mexican returned home to Puerto Vallarta, to devote some time to whale-watching. As a bonus, the Force India driver offered his Instagram followers a picture of himself, posing with an iguana on his head. A genuine Iroquois headdress.
http://instagram.com/p/hoTZxZwsWB/
Enjoying the holiday from hell, like Mark Webber
Once Mark Webber opted for a “traditional” holiday. We don’t think he’ll be doing that again in a hurry. In 2003, the Australian chose Bora-Bora for a relaxing break with his girlfriend Ann Neal. But despite the idyllic backdrop, the weather was dreadful and Webber’s neighbours were a little on the noisy side. “I’m 100% sure that in the neighbouring villa, they were making a porn film. It was the worst trip I’ve ever been on,” he told the Mirror last June. The driver has not forgotten the lessons learned from that inglorious episode. He devotes his holidays to extreme sports. The newly retired driver, a trekking and extreme sensation fan, has created the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge on his estate. It’s a six-day experience, including mountain biking, trekking and kayaking. But the take-no-prisoners Australian broke his leg while taking part in his own trial in 2008. December quite clearly just isn’t his month.
By Arthur Jeanne
