What F1 drivers have been up to before Monaco
The gap between Canada and Monaco is rarely a quiet one for the Formula 1 circus. This year, the drivers kept the pace high in their own way. Kimi Antonelli had an emotional week in Italy, picking up the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy in his home country before heading to Mugello to see Marco Bezzecchi claim a stunning home victory. Seeing the pair lead their respective championships—the first time Italian drivers have held the top spot in both series since 1952—was something else.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Lando Norris took in the Indy 500. After catching a ride around the oval with Arrow McLaren team principal Tony Kanaan, he spent time with Pato O’Ward and Zak Brown. Oscar Piastri took a different route, soaking in the insane speed of the Isle of Man TT. It’s a wild world when you consider the Australian now has a species of wasp, 'Gwesped piastrii', named after him because the amber it was found in reminded researchers of McLaren’s papaya colors.
Other corners of the paddock kept it more grounded. Franco Colapinto celebrated his 23rd birthday with a surprise cake from teammate Pierre Gasly, while Lance Stroll spent his time in Montreal cheering on the Canadiens at the NHL Conference Finals. As for the McLaren duo of Norris and Piastri, they spent time at the Nürburgring pushing McLaren machinery through the damp conditions of the Nordschleife in anticipation of the team's 1000th race milestone coming up in Monaco.
