F1: How long is the summer break?

• The summer break in Formula 1 has seen fans wait for almost a month for some race action.
• When will the next race be held, and what will happen over the summer vacation?

Following the Belgian Grand Prix, Formula One fans have been waiting for almost a month for some race action.

At Spa-Francorchamps, Max Verstappen triumphed once more, increasing his advantage over the competition. After winning his eighth straight race and tenth race overall during a strong Red Bull season, the Dutchman appears to be a lock to win the World Championship once more.

Before returning for the second half of the season, which concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 26, the sport currently takes a little vacation.

But when will the next race be held, and what will happen over the summer vacation? What activities are permitted and prohibited for F1 teams?

How long is the summer break in Formula 1?

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. Photo: Florent Gooden/DPPI/LiveMedia

After the last Grand Prix of the season in July, all Formula One teams and their factories are required to shut down for a minimum of 14 days.

Thus, the teams all take a holiday lasting at least that long following the Belgian Grand Prix, which ended on July 31.

Why have the summer break?

Given that the season is longer than ever, starting in March and lasting until the end of November, the break is just intended to provide drivers and everyone else connected to the teams some time off during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Only extremely basic manufacturing operations are authorized to continue in order to allow teams to keep working until the conclusion of the 14-day period, according to the guidelines, which prohibit any automobile development, design, or development of new parts during the closure.

Although normal maintenance and repair work is allowed, wind tunnels are closed.

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Away from the factories and garages, other team operational departments, such as marketing, law, and finance, are permitted to continue their activities.

All departments of an F1 team are permitted to function normally and under the customary regulations and allowances of the regular season after the required 14-day downtime period.

In order to fulfill any media or commercial commitments, F1 drivers often only review with the team on the day following the final race before the summer break. The drivers are then free to take a vacation and often visit the team factory the week before the following race to work in the simulator.

What do the drivers and personnel do?

Lewis Hamilton enjoying his summer break in Kenya. Photo/Nation Africa

In essence, F1 drivers and team personnel are free to enjoy a holiday and their loved ones. Drivers are frequently seen relaxing in the summer heat, playing golf, or attending other athletic activities.

In the last summer break, Verstappen attended a concert, Lewis Hamilton went on an African safari, and Alex Albon of Williams was spotted playing golf.

When does the summer break end?

The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is the next planned race, which takes place the weekend of August 25–27.

The teams will meet again well in advance of the race to finalize preparations for it and the start of the season.

After the Netherlands, the competition picks up, with the Italian Grand Prix (September 1-3), Singapore (September 15-17), Japan (September 22-24), and so on, before the season’s stretch run through October and November, which is capped off with the championship race in Abu Dhabi on November 24-26.