Michael Schumacher's holidays with F1 rival and Lewis Hamilton's daring trips
The current F1 schedule has been lamented far and wide with 2023 initially comprising of a record-breaking 24 races.
So few can blame drivers who utilise a few weeks off to indulge in some rest and recuperation. Grand Prix races do now not resume until the final weekend in August, at the Circuit Zandvoort in Holland.
Given his mammoth 125-point lead in the drivers' standings mind, Max Verstappen could probably afford to return a month or so later and still pick up his third consecutive F1 title. After all, the legendary Michael Schumacher was famed for his adventure holidays whilst Lewis Hamilton is no stranger to an exciting trip or two either.
Mirror Sport looks at five drivers who have previously taken time off in style....
Michael Schumacher
The intensity of the seven-time world champion when he competed in F1 was mirrored by his thirst for action off it.
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Schumacher wasn't one to settle for lying on a beach in the off-season. His love for skiing, which ultimately led to his harrowing accident in the French Alps in 2013, was well known. And despite a rivalry with Jos Verstappen, the families would regularly head abroad together - a notion that Max Verstappen has recalled.
"I remember a few holidays," Verstappen he told The Times. "I was quite small; I didn’t know he [Michael Schumacher] was seven-times world champion," he said. "He was more like uncle Michael walking around. I remember we had a holiday in Norway where we did ski, but it was minus 26 at one point so we were more like playing indoors."
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Schumacher enjoyed his time off from F1 (Bongarts/Getty Images)The 54-year-old also had a love of skydiving. Indeed, cruelly, the ill-fated trip to Meribel only came about after the icon had strongly considered heading to Dubai to embrace his other hobby instead, before deciding instead to stay in Europe and ski.
Lewis Hamilton
Like the man he currently ties for world titles, Hamilton doesn't exactly spend his downtime winding down in a low-key location.
Earlier this year, he embarked on what he himself hailed as a life-changing trip to Rwanda, meeting mountain gorillas and trekking up mountains. And it's not the first time he's opted for an alternative trip.
Lewis Hamilton meets a gorilla in Rwanda (lewishamilton/Instagram)He's previously used his time off to attend a carnival in the Caribbean, as well travelling to the US and Mexico. There have also been holidays to Jamaica and Costa Rica.
In fairness to one of the most marketable stars on the planet, affording such luxuries is hardly an issue.
Max Verstappen
The reigning champion may have had a taste of Schumacher's love for adrenaline when on vacation, but it hasn't necessarily rubbed off on him.
The 25-year-old spent the last break 'training' on the simulator, refusing to rest on his laurels as he continues his current domination of the sport. Indeed, the only Instagram photo he shared during the last recess was of him pushing the pace on a run.
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He does however, take the time to enjoy life with partner Kelly Piquet, with the pair also attending a music festival.
Charles Leclerc
The Ferrari man isn't seemingly happy with just one destination when he's soaking in sun rays.
Charles Leclerc enjoying time on a yacht in FranceHe and partner Charlotte Sine spent the last break in Spain and Italy, before getting some yachting time in off the coast of France. No reports of the captain scuppering the trip with any strategic errors or ill-timed fuel stops either.....
Kimi Raikkonen
The 2007 world champion perhaps wasn't quite as disciplined as the current generation, and was partial to a party or two when time allowed.
However, back in 2016, he ensured a busy summer break for himself - by squeezing in a wedding! He and partner Minttu Virtanen married in Tuscany and Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene clearly didn't mind - as he attended as one of the guests.
Following Raikkonen's retirement in 2021, the couple soon ventured back to their wedding venue for a holiday. Whilst there, he found favour with locals after helping rescue a dog he found trapped in a locked car.
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