Five weeks. No racing. No paddock. No press conferences. Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Formula One’s travelling circus went quiet — and what its drivers, partners, and personalities did with that time tells a story of its own. Here is the full breakdown ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix 2026.
▶ Watch the full video on The Motion Report Paddock Life →
Hamilton and Kardashian: Fiorano by Day, Malibu by Weekend
Lewis Hamilton arrived at the break with purpose. He completed test sessions at Fiorano and Monza, working on Ferrari’s upgrade package ahead of Miami. Off the circuit, Hamilton was photographed at Coachella and paddleboarding in Malibu alongside Kim Kardashian, with reports emerging of a joint property search in the area. The pair are expected to make their first official paddock appearance together this weekend.
Verstappen Races On — Just Not in F1
Max Verstappen treated the break as a full race programme. Three separate GT3 outings — at Paul Ricard and the Nürburgring — entirely independent of Red Bull. He even declined the team’s Pirelli tyre test at Suzuka to run his own squad. Verstappen is building a motorsport life that operates well beyond Formula One.
Alonso Becomes a Father — and Talks Retirement
Fernando Alonso’s partner Melissa Jiménez gave birth to their son Leonardo during the break, marking one of the most significant personal moments of the two-time world champion’s life. Alonso then appeared at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, where he spoke publicly about retirement with a thoughtfulness that felt new. A man, it seemed, taking stock.
Norris, Sainz and the Next Generation
Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris filmed a viral karting video — spanning machinery from 1959 to 2026 — that clocked more than four million views within days. Norris was also named to the Time 100 list in the Innovators category. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli spent Easter at Valentino Rossi’s VR46 ranch before heading straight to Mercedes Pirelli testing — a 19-year-old treating his rookie season with uncommon seriousness.
Leclerc Quits Social Media. Stroll Makes His GT3 Debut.
Charles Leclerc joined Hamilton in Ferrari’s test programme at Fiorano and Monza, then quietly announced he had abandoned social media entirely. His personal highlight of the break? A family card game in Monaco — which he described as his first win of 2026. Lance Stroll, meanwhile, made his GT World Challenge debut at Paul Ricard, having consulted Verstappen — who happened to be at the same circuit — in the days prior.
▶ For the complete photo-by-photo breakdown — including Bottas at Coachella, Gasly and Ocon at PSG vs Liverpool, and Tsunoda cooking in Japan — watch the full video below:
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