Formula One drivers are making the most of their time in Singapore ahead of the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, swapping the racetrack for local food adventures, go-karting and sightseeing as the city prepares for one of its biggest sporting weekends.
While fans are gearing up to watch the world’s fastest drivers compete at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, several racers have been sharing glimpses of their off-track activities — offering a more relaxed look at life beyond the paddock.
Among the highlights are Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti’s search for local hawker favourites, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc’s go-karting outing and Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas’ remarkable cycling journey from Malaysia to Singapore.
Frederik Vesti Goes on a Singapore Hawker Food Hunt
Danish driver Frederik Vesti headed to Lau Pa Sat on Oct 7 to explore Singapore’s famous hawker culture.
The 24-year-old considered trying chicken rice but eventually set his sights on chicken satay at the popular outdoor Satay Street.
His appetite was clear when he ordered 20 skewers, joking that 15 might be enough for himself because he was hungry and needed his protein.
Vesti also sampled char siew and wonton soup. He gave the barbecued pork a seven out of 10, while the soup surprised him with a flavour he compared to a familiar Danish dish.
Despite some uncertainty about the food’s texture, he gave the overall experience a glowing 10 out of 10.
His food hunt offered fans a glimpse of how Singapore’s local dishes can become a memorable part of the Grand Prix experience.
Charles Leclerc Finds Time for Go-Karting
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also shared moments from his stay in Singapore, including playing the piano in his hotel room and enjoying a game of foosball with companions.
But the Monegasque racer found time for another activity closely connected to his profession: go-karting.
Leclerc visited HyperDrive at Sentosa, where he took to the track while friends cheered him on.
The outing gave the 28-year-old a chance to enjoy some informal racing before the weekend’s Formula One action began.
Valtteri Bottas Cycles Hundreds of Kilometres to Singapore
Perhaps the most unusual journey belonged to Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who cycled from Malaysia to Singapore instead of taking the more conventional route by air.
The 37-year-old Cadillac driver completed a journey of around 350km from Sepang, crossing the Causeway on Oct 7 after several days on the road.
Bottas documented parts of his trip on social media, sharing glimpses of gravel tracks, rural landscapes and his progress towards Singapore.
Even after arriving, the cycling continued. He posted updates from rides around the city and celebrated completing the journey, which covered more than 400km according to his reported activity figures.
The endurance challenge reflected Bottas’ well-known enthusiasm for cycling and gave fans a different kind of sporting spectacle ahead of the Grand Prix.
He also found time to enjoy a meal at Burnt Ends, the Singapore restaurant known for its modern barbecue cuisine.
Alex Albon Has a Playful Encounter With Durian
Williams driver Alex Albon brought a distinctly Singaporean touch to his pre-race activities by posing at a durian stand while wearing a racing helmet inspired by the pungent tropical fruit.
The Thai-British racer appeared less enthusiastic about tasting the fruit, joking in his social media post that he would be keeping his helmet visor closed.
The light-hearted moment added to the growing collection of driver experiences shared online as Formula One personalities explore the city.
Singapore Prepares for a Weekend of Racing
The 2026 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled to run from Oct 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
As the race weekend approaches, the drivers’ activities are giving fans more reasons to follow the event beyond qualifying sessions and the main race.
From a late-night satay hunt to a long-distance cycling adventure, the pre-race moments show another side of Formula One — one in which food, travel and local culture become part of the experience.
For Singapore, the arrival of the drivers brings not only world-class motorsport but also a chance to showcase the city’s distinctive food scene and attractions to an international audience.
