Beyond the Grid: F1 drivers revel in off-season freedom

With the 2024 F1 season still months away, drivers are reveling in a rare period of off-season freedom.

Devoid of the relentless pressures of racing, reigning champion Max Verstappen alongside rivals Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have stirred headlines for their lavish vacations and continued affinity for adrenaline.

Verstappen denied car rental over age

During a holiday in Portugal, 26-year-old Verstappen sought to rent a Mercedes-AMG GT supercar capable of 0-60 in 3.7 seconds.

However, Sixt Rent-a-Car denied the reigning world champion’s request, citing insurance regulations restricting drivers under 30 from renting the 195mph coupe.

Still, Verstappen is no stranger to rules and regulations, even opting to abide by Sixt’s age limitation policy.

Instead, he settled on renting a less potent 155mph BMW 5 Series to meet his need for speed.

A Sixt spokesperson later publicly apologized for rejecting Verstappen’s rental attempt, saying, “There can be special circumstances that justify a deviation from rules. This is such a case.”

They further extended an open invitation for Verstappen to rent any vehicle from Sixt anytime in the future.

Hamilton’s tropical boat getaway

Rather than flashy parties or fireworks, Mercedes’ veteran

Lewis Hamilton rang in 2023 with an intimate New Year’s Eve boat trip in Trancoso, Brazil alongside model Juliana Nalú.

Photos showed Hamilton surrounded by bodyguards throughout the tropical vacation.

Having recently been granted honorary Brazilian citizenship, this marks Hamilton’s latest trip to the South American country where he emphatically claimed his third Brazilian Grand Prix victory last November.

“I’ll be back here at the end of the season,” Hamilton vowed regarding his affinity for Brazil. Judging by his New Year’s travels, it seems Hamilton is staying true to that promise as he gears up for a pivotal 2023 campaign where Mercedes hopes to regain championship form.

Leclerc's new $700K Ferrari

Scuderia Ferrari’s championship hopeful, Charles Leclerc, added to his enviable Ferrari collection with the $700,000 812 Competizione Aperta - one of only 599 existing units.

Images of Leclerc’s ritzy new 819hp spaceship parked outside Casino de Monte-Carlo whipped social media into a frenzy.

Beyond the vehicle’s eye-watering price tag, Maranello’s limited-run 812 Aperta goes down as one of the most expensive road-legal Ferraris ever built.

For Leclerc, the Aperta also bears his racing number 16 lacquered across the seductive bodywork - a signature touch matching his other personalized Prancing Horses.

Come March, Leclerc will be laser-focused on challenging Verstappen for the 2023 crown. But during his off-season escape from the racetrack, Leclerc is clearly embracing the lavish lifestyle his stacked garage affords.

Alonso and Russell bromance

George Russell and Fernando Alonso continued their unique New Year's tradition.

For the second consecutive year, these competitors off the track celebrated together, showcasing a camaraderie that transcends their on-track rivalry.

Russell, the promising Mercedes talent, and Alonso, the seasoned Aston Martin veteran, shared this special moment via a recent social media post by Russell.

The post featured both drivers with Russell's partner, Carles Mundt, highlighting the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the two.

It's a testament to the fraternity that exists within the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1.