After a short break, Formula 1 returns to the hills of Styria for one of the most picturesque races on the calendar: the Austrian Grand Prix. But as always, the drivers stayed busy but rested ahead of three races in four weeks as we approach the summer holidays.
From more McLaren celebrations to summer memories, special Senna shows and watching the World Cup – the grid has been enjoying its extra week of free time after Barcelona. Here’s what the drivers have been up to before heading to the hills for the week of racing at the Red Bull Ring…
More McLaren milestone celebrations
After showing off its special decoration in Monaco and Barcelona, McLaren They returned to their base in Woking to continue the 1,000th Grand Prix celebrations with the entire team. It takes a huge effort from everyone to maintain an F1 team’s performance, whether on the track or in the factory, and fans got a glimpse of that when the entire McLaren family came together to commemorate this impressive milestone.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had the honor of inaugurating a new statue of the ‘Flying Finn’ Mika Häkkinen on McLaren Boulevard, while the man himself was there to chat about some of his favorite memories driving for the British team. The bronze figure pays tribute to his 1998 Drivers’ Championship, joining other icons such as Bruce McLaren, niki laudaand Ayrton Sena – Some lineup of legends!
Return to the cabin for reservations
Yuki Tsunoda and Zhou Guanyu enjoyed a welcome return to the cockpit of an F1 car during the break, as they both completed some crucial tire test laps for their team in Barcelona. For Tsunoda, it was a return to red bull car, while Zhou enjoyed his first time behind the wheel of the cadillac machine.
Despite the heat, both drivers seemed to be absolutely in their element and having fun again behind the wheel of an F1 car.
Sainz tribune special announcement
After the first race in Spain this season, Carlos Sainz He wasted no time announcing big plans for his second home race in Madrid later this summer.
Just in time for the first weekend of F1 racing at the new Madring street circuit, the williams The driver announced that Team Fifty5 will have its own grandstand at turns 8 and 9. If Barcelona is anything to go by, the energy at the Sainz stand should be electric, already in September…
summer celebrations
Valtteri Bottas He spent his time off the track the best way he knew how: time in nature on two wheels. Although he often spends a lot of time in his adopted home of Australia, during the European leg of the season he spends a little more time near his homeland in Scandinavia. After all, there’s no way you’ll miss the summer celebrations in your native Finland.
Arvid Lindbladanother driver on the grid with Scandinavian heritage, also took time to celebrate the summer solstice. Although she was unable to travel to Sweden during this short break, Lindblad posted a series of healthy childhood photos to commemorate the special day.
Mid-season preparations
He Alpine The boys stayed prepared during the week-long break between Barcelona and Austria, although perhaps in slightly different ways.
Between gym sessions and a moment of rest and relaxation, Pierre Gasly He was attentive to everything related to the World Cup, that is, to see how the French team won its first match against Senegal.
Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto He was doing hill repeats on foot, also no doubt inspired by the performance of his hero Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s first match of the tournament.
Get into the cabin of a legend
Ollie Bearman had the ultimate honor during the break, as Lotus invited the Brit to drive none other than Ayrton SenaThe 1985 Lotus 97T, the car with which the Brazilian won his first Grand Prix.
He haas The driver took very good care of the car as he took it for a few laps around Silverstone, an experience he will surely never forget and which will perhaps propel him to score even more points during the race weekend in Austria…