9 things F1 drivers do in the off season winter break

Hamilton crosses the line for the final time in 2014This is a question which has been asked by many people in the past. Basically, if the races are held every fortnight, all year long, then we might end up with a calendar that has about 26 races. And as it is, a season is worth 19 races every year, give or take, and since F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports, it has to maintain some exclusivity.And since the F1 calendar is all jam packed, from March to November, and with testing in February; drivers are traveling and busy all year long. And with only a short designated in season summer break, seldom they get the time to be on their own. So, the winter break is the right time for the drivers to catch up with their personal life, and make the most of it. And, the period is not only for giving time-off to everyone involved with Formula 1, but it is also important for the sport’s relevance. Hence, let us take a look at what exactly the drivers do in their off time. Do they go fishing, do they race, sign checks or do they take a nap all winter long? Let’s find out.

#1 Extra-testing

The 2014 season lasted a little longer for some drivers, as an end season test was held right after the final race at Abu Dhabi. Though, it did not feature all the top drivers, but when your team is on the track, you just cannot scamper away. And with testing limited to only few occasions, some drivers took the onus of testing the cars.

Also, in December of last year, Sebastian Vettel, the new Scuderia driver, tested the Ferrari’s 2012 challenger at their private test facility in Italy. This marked the German’s debut for the Maranello based squad. Drivers often join their new squad in the winter.

#2 Team briefings and for the top 3 drivers, it\'s time for the FIA gala

Ricciardo, Hamilton and Rosberg at the FIA awards

Hamilton, teammate Nico Rosberg, and surprise third placed man in the last year’s championship, Daniel Ricciardo, all headed to Doha this year to collect their respective championship trophies from the FIA. This award ceremony is held every year, where the top 3 drivers of the season are always awarded right after the conclusion of the season. Interestingly, the FIA award has once been held in New Delhi too, that was in the year 2011.

Also the first half of December, or late November, for drivers, is always set for year-end team briefings at the factory. And of course, award collections, especially for the ones who have done well during the year. For example, drivers being part of many end-of-the year national sporting awards ceremonies.

#3 Christmas break is strictly for family and friends

Valtteri Bottas of Williams F1 Team with partner during Christmas.Photo Courtesy: Official Twitter Account of Bottas

In and around the time of Christmas, drivers dedicate spending their time towards family and close friends. Many drivers also go on vacations and holidays in exotic places in order to cool off after a long hard season. This year, World Champion Hamilton had a pretty hectic winter-schedule. From, Scotland to United States, the Brit had to travel a lot in order to balance between family, friends, work, training award-ceremonies and holidaying.

Also, in between of all of that, Hamilton celebrated his 30th birthday on the 7th of January. But all the drivers, during the Christmas week, prefer to stay home and celebrate the occasion with family and close friends.

#4 Contract and deal signings

Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button at the McLaren Technology Center

Interestingly, some teams wait till the end of the year to announce their driver line up for the upcoming season. Ergo, some drivers have to wait till the winter to get a new contract. Last year, McLaren called up a press conference at 11th of December to officially name their driver lineup for the 2015 season.

Besides this, some drivers, especially the “pay drivers”, are always announced during the winter break or after the New Year. This is because, most of the smaller teams need time to contemplate over finances and then select their drivers based on it. And, this break-time is vital for the drivers, who need the cash to break in, or to survive, in F1, to secure more funds and sponsorships. Hence, you can say, this is the period when deals, financial backings, are inked and big-money checks are signed for the new season.

#5 Fitness and training

Adding work with pleasure: Rosberg at the mediterranean island of IbizaPhoto Courtesy: Rosberg’s official twitter account

Winter break doesn’t mean relaxing time altogether for the drivers, they keep their training regimes intact. A Formula 1 driver is treated like a well-oiled machine, they are given specific diets and they are told to do specific training in order to endure the challenges the cars throw to them. In fact, a driver always has a designated trainer with him all the time, be it in the winter time or during the races, they act like a shadow of the driver.

In fact, even when F1 drivers are sightseeing, they always continue their training, for example, Rosberg doing cardio sessions during his training-vacation, this year, at Ibiza and Jenson Button competing in triathlon events, every winter.

#6 Something very personal

The winter is also great period for the drivers to address some personal issues of life. And, some drivers, in the break, take the off season time to tie the knot. Like this winter, Jenson Button got married to his longtime sweetheart Jessica Michibata, in a private ceremony, at the splendid settings of Hawaii.

While, some take the time to catch up with their old friends and get in touch with their domestic life back home. This year, interestingly, Toro Rosso’s new kid on the block, the 17-year old Max Verstappen, who is set become the sport’s youngest driver, gave his road-car driving license theory-test in Belgium.

#7 Keeping touch with the factory

Jean Eric Vergne, recently signed by Ferrari, will help develop the team’s new car in the simulator

Even though the drivers get a little break, they always have to keep constant touch with their base and the factory, during the winter. This is where engineering magic is created and the cars for the new season are carved.

The plan, strategy and the choreography for the new season is also done here, by the whole team, which also includes the drivers. Factory is the place where these drivers get on with their simulator-work too, and with limited testing-time, simulator-work is vital for the progress of the new car. Also, staying in touch with the factory is a great way to boost the morale of the whole team and inspire, and help, them to roll out a competitive car.

#8 Racing in some other series

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean was the 2012 Race of Champions winner

Racing is in the genes of many drivers, and if allowed, they will race on, regardless of the break. Some drivers do it for fun, some because of sponsorship commitments, but some do it competitively too. As, many racing series also take break during the winter, there are only few options for the drivers. Race of Champions is one such short-series event which many Formula 1 drivers attend in the off season.

With F1 being a “commercial” sport, many teams do not allow their drivers to race in other series or championships. But most of the teams do not allow their drivers to race in the winter because of safety reasons. Even though accidents can happen anywhere, the risk of them occurring while in a racing-car is much greater. And, sadly, Robert Kubica’s F1-career ending crash, whilst doing competitive rallying, was a testament to this fear. This is why teams are very skeptical most of the times regarding this, but if given a choice a driver will certainly race, be it in the ice or in the dirt-track.

This year, Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg will compete in the 24Hrs Le Mans with the Porsche team. And for that, last December, the German participated in testing the team’s hybrid car. Also, some drivers are called on by their respective teams to do demonstration runs at various places around the world, in order to showcase F1 cars to fans

#9 Gearing up for the new season

Hulkenberg and Perez at Force India’s 2015 livery launch in Mexico

As the pre-season testing dates come closer, drivers get engaged with more sponsorship commitments and also with getting familiar their new team, or new members, if any, in their current team. For example, this season, Frenchman Romain Grosjean will have a new race-engineer in Julien Simon-Chautemps, after Lotus promoted Ayao Komatsu, his former race-engineer, internally.

The drivers also have to be present for the official team car unveiling, but the launch dates are always near the start of the season. And, as the launch dates arrive, you know the season is just round the corner. Some teams select the first pre-season testing day to launch their car, while some do it at their factory and some teams select the location according to the team’s attachment to the place. Like this year, Force India unlived their 2015 livery, at race driver Sergio Perez’s country, Mexico.

#10 Finally, why not have F1 all year long?

This is a question which has been asked by many people in the past. Basically, if the races are held every fortnight, all year long, then we might end up with a calendar that has about 26 races. And as it is, a season is worth 19 races every year, give or take, and since F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports, it has to maintain some exclusivity.

For example, the relevance of a football world cup or Olympic-games is much greater because there is a huge time interval between its two events. And hence, if races are held every week, then the importance will die. This is why, even though the fans hate it but they understand why, the break is vital for the survival of the championship. Also, the winter break is a great chance for a team, or even a driver for that matter, to reset their form, or bad results, of the previous season, and to get started afresh.

Edited by Staff Editor