With the 2026 season in full swing and a small gap in the calendar before the Miami Grand Prix in May, the paddock has scattered. While some are deep in the simulator, grappling with the controversial 2026 technical regulations, others are leaning into the “luxury lifestyle” side of the sport. >
Here is a cross-referenced look at how the grid’s biggest names are spending their off-track hours this April.
The Headlines: Speed, Style, and “Strictly Business”
1. Lewis Hamilton: The Tokyo Drift
Lewis Hamilton has dominated the social cycle this week. He was spotted at the Daikoku Parking Area in Tokyo, leaning into his love for Japanese car culture.
- The Sighting: Hamilton posted an Instagram reel titled “TOKYO DRIFT VOL. III,” featuring him doing donuts in his Ferrari F40.
- The “Plus One”: Confirming months of rumors, Hamilton went “Instagram official” with Kim Kardashian, who was seen in the passenger seat of the F40. Kardashian has reportedly been traveling with her children and sister Khloé, joining Lewis during his time in Japan. >
2. Charles Leclerc: Coastal Resets
While his teammate is making headlines in Tokyo, Charles Leclerc has been seen taking a much quieter approach.
- The Sighting: Leclerc was recently spotted on the water, enjoying a short reset on a yacht (a familiar haunt for the Monegasque driver).
- The Focus: Despite the leisure, his mind is on the tech. He has been vocal in recent media briefings about the new battery energy management systems, suggesting that while the racing feels “hard but fair,” the drivers are still struggling to make the cars feel “Formula 1-like” during qualifying sessions. >
3. Max Verstappen: Sim Racing & Media Friction
The reigning champion’s off-time is rarely “off.” Verstappen has been splitting his time between his high-end sim-racing setup and endurance racing projects.
- The Sighting: Aside from a Ford season launch event where he reunited with old friend Daniel Ricciardo, Max has been under the microscope for his conduct. He recently made waves by dismissing a journalist from a media briefing, signaling that the pressure of Red Bull’s 2026 technical hurdles might be reaching a boiling point. >
4. Lando Norris: The “Wildcard”
Lando has been playing the role of the disruptor. While most drivers (led by Albon and Verstappen) held a secret meeting in Melbourne to complain that the 2026 rules are “too complex,” Norris has gone on the record saying he find the new challenges “amusing.” >
- The Sighting: Lando was seen on the golf course earlier this month, continuing his long-standing tradition of competitive rounds with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. >
Where they are now: A Quick Glance
| Driver | Activity | Location |
| Lewis Hamilton | Car culture & Celebrity socialite | Tokyo, Japan |
| Charles Leclerc | Yachting & Coastal reset | Mediterranean / Italy |
| Carlos Sainz | Cycling with his father & Karting | Spain |
| Valtteri Bottas | Padel & Helmet design with Tiffany Cromwell | Monaco / Finland |
| Daniel Ricciardo | Ambassador duties for Ford Racing | Global / Australia |
The “Alumni” Update
Though no longer on the grid, Daniel Ricciardo remains a fixture in the F1 orbit. Now a global ambassador for Ford Racing, he’s been spotted at various branding events. While he’s admitted to “missing the thrill” of the cockpit, his recent sightings show him looking more relaxed, often seen sporting his signature grin alongside former teammate Max Verstappen at commercial shoots.
