And Why the Italian Grand Prix Is the Ultimate Crossover
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, peak physical conditioning isn’t optional; it is a key to peak performance. Drivers endure extreme G-forces, punishing heat, and relentless mental intensity over 90-minute races. To prepare, many turn to a training discipline that mirrors the demands of F1 more closely than almost any other sport: cycling. Here we go through F1’s most avid cyclists.
For some, it’s simply endurance work. For others, it’s a full-fledged passion, and even competition.
And this September, you can experience that crossover firsthand at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the “Temple of Speed,” 2026 Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix Spectator Tour, a move that brings together two great passions of our founder, Jamie Gilpin.
The Modern Peloton: Today’s F1 Cyclists
Valtteri Bottas
Perhaps the most committed cyclist on the current grid, Bottas has fully immersed himself in gravel racing. In 2026, he finished second in the Unbound Gravel 100 (Men’s 30–39 category) after 174 gruelling kilometres — a serious athletic accomplishment by any standard. He co-founded FNLD GRVL and RADL GRVL events and regularly competes in the UCI Gravel World Series. Even while preparing to lead Cadillac’s F1 efforts in 2026, he continues to train and race on two wheels. For Bottas, cycling represents something pure: you are the engine.
Fernando Alonso
Few drivers are as famously fitness-obsessed as Alonso. A longtime cycling devotee, he once attempted to purchase the Euskaltel-Euskadi pro cycling team. Despite suffering a serious cycling accident in 2021 that required jaw surgery, he returned quickly and continues to log serious mileage, once riding 162km just days before a major race weekend. As he competes with Aston Martin in 2026, he remains one of the paddock’s most vocal advocates for cycling as foundational endurance training.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Sainz regularly incorporates road cycling into his offseason and in-season preparation. Known for his smooth, calculated driving style, his approach to cycling mirrors his racing philosophy: measured effort, controlled output, strategic pacing over raw aggression.
Charles Leclerc
Leclerc frequently rides through Monaco’s hills for both fitness and mental clarity. For drivers living under constant scrutiny, cycling offers rare freedom; no pit wall, no radio chatter, just rhythm and road.
George Russell
Russell uses cycling as part of his structured endurance program and has also participated in charity rides. Like many drivers, he values the cardiovascular base that long hours in the saddle build.
Max Verstappen
Even the sport’s most aggressive racer relies on disciplined aerobic conditioning. Cycling helps Verstappen maintain the stamina required to perform at full intensity over race distance.
Lance Stroll
Stroll is another regular cyclist, though not without risk. A preseason bike crash in 2023 resulted in broken wrists — a reminder that even elite drivers are vulnerable when trading engines for pedals.
Icons of the Past: Trailblazers on Two Wheels
The cockpit-to-saddle connection is nothing new.
Alain Prost
“The Professor” approached fitness with the same intelligence he applied to racing. After retiring from Formula 1, Prost became a serious road cyclist, reportedly riding stages of the Tour de France route behind the professional peloton, covering distances of up to 200km in a day. His strategic mindset translated seamlessly to endurance riding.
Sebastian Vettel
Vettel has long appreciated cycling not just for speed, but for exploration. Conquering terrain through human effort rather than horsepower appealed to his thoughtful, environmentally conscious perspective.
Mark Webber
A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Webber incorporated intense mountain biking segments into his Mark Webber Challenge adventure races. Even in retirement, he remains an ambassador for cycling’s fitness benefits.
Jenson Button
While best known for triathlon, Button’s foundation was built on elite-level cycling. In the era of strict weight regulations, the bike helped him maintain race-ready form while building endurance capacity.
Why Formula 1 and Cycling Share DNA
The connection is more than symbolic:
- Power-to-weight optimization
- Aerodynamic efficiency
- Strategic pacing and energy deployment
- Mental resilience under sustained stress
Both sports are built on refinement: shaving seconds, managing output, maximizing precision.
Nowhere does that shared heritage feel more authentic than at Monza.
The Ultimate Monza F1 Travel Package
Our 2026 Italian Grand Prix Tour is not a standard race trip. It is a curated Monza F1 travel package designed for discerning motorsport enthusiasts who value craftsmanship, culture, and exclusivity.
September 1–7, 2026
7 Days/6 Nights – Limited to 16 Guests
Your journey begins in Italy’s legendary Motor Valley with private experiences at:
- Guided Ferrari museum tours in Maranello & Modena
- Lamborghini factory tour and museum visit in Modena
- Balsamic Vinegar and Wine Tastings
- Parmigiano Reggiano factory tour.
From there, we transition to the Temple of Speed:
Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Guests will enjoy premium race viewing from Grandstand 26 – Laterale Destra B, positioned on the main straight with direct views of the starting grid, video screens, the pit lane and the podium celebration.
This is Monza at its most visceral. A seamless blend of performance, heritage, and Italian sophistication.
A Refined Balance of Performance & Culture
While this is a luxury Italian Grand Prix Tour, it remains rooted in the athletic spirit that inspires so many F1 drivers.
Limited Availability
With only 16 guests and strong early interest, this Monza F1 travel package is intentionally intimate.
If the training rituals of Bottas, the discipline of Prost, or the endurance mindset of Alonso resonate with you, this is your opportunity to experience Formula 1 the way it was meant to be: immersed, elevated, and curated.
Two wheels or four wheels. And one extraordinary September in Italy.
