F1: Drivers Relax During August Shutdown

Formula 1

F1: Drivers Relax During August Shutdown

Formula One drivers are using the annual August break to rest and recharge...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted August 07, 2012 GMM Newswire

Jenson Button enjoys participating in triathlons during his time away from Formula One. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ping-pong or the Olympics?

It's a tough choice for Formula One drivers as they contemplate how to spend their rare free time during the August break.

Felipe Massa, having returned to his native Sao Paulo, has posted on Twitter photos of his downtime on the saddle of a four-wheeled motorcycle, and playing mini table-tennis with his brother Eduoardo.

Red Bull's Mark Webber has headed to the real Olympics, watching his countryman James Magnussen grapple with the pain of losing Gold in a swimming race he was hotly tipped to win.

"It's called the journey," said Australian Webber. "That's the amazing thing about sport."

Champions Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are also enjoying sport of a different flavor.

Former title winner Button, and his model girlfriend Jessica Michibata, headed to the Philippines for an Ironman competition.

"Triathlons aren't ever going to make me money," the McLaren driver told the Daily Mail. "But whenever I have any time off, it doesn't take me long before I am pining to get back out on one."

Championship leader Alonso, meanwhile, won a 20 kilometer cycling time trial — at a speed of almost 45 kilometers per hour.

Lewis Hamilton is holidaying in Grenada, the country of his father Anthony's heritage, while Lotus' Romain Grosjean is enjoying a honeymoon with his new wife Marion Jolles, a French television presenter well known in the F1 paddock.

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher is just enjoying some downtime with his young family.

"I'm more focused on living a quiet and private life, so I would rather avoid lots of people," he said.

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