F1 stars swap asphalt for clay courts during extended break

Several Formula 1 drivers, including Alex Albon, Oliver Bearman, and Oscar Piastri, were spotted courtside at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, supporting Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner. The appearance highlights how drivers are utilizing an unexpected five-week gap in the F1 calendar, with other stars like George Russell and Charles Leclerc also attending the tournament's final.

Why it matters:

The extended break, caused by the cancellation of two races, offers a rare mid-season respite for drivers and teams. How they spend this time—whether resting, training, or supporting other sports—provides a glimpse into the personal interests and cross-sport camaraderie within the elite athlete community. The mutual support between F1 and tennis stars also underscores the global, interconnected nature of top-tier sports.

The details:

• The group of Albon, Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Piastri was seen together watching Jannik Sinner defeat Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
• Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, along with their partners, attended the tournament's final, which featured Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz.
• The support is reciprocal. Following his first F1 victory at the previous race, Italian driver Kimi Antonelli received a public shoutout from Sinner during the tennis star's Indian Wells title acceptance speech.
  • Sinner called it a "special day for Italy" and expressed his pride as a "huge Formula 1 fan" seeing a young Italian driver win.
• The break comes after a strong start for Antonelli, who leads the Drivers' Championship with 72 points after back-to-back wins in China and Japan.

What's next:

The F1 season resumes with the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3. The extended break will have allowed teams to develop upgrades and drivers to recharge, setting the stage for the next phase of the championship battle where Antonelli will aim to defend his newfound lead.