An F1 driver’s intense schedule post-season

Formula 1 drivers have an intense schedule throughout the year amid a 22-race calendar, so you would think that at the end things die down?

After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where there was much talk and complaining about the straining travel schedule, the season is not yet over for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman still has important commitments he must carry out before the end of the year.

"I do like having a break," Verstappen told Viaplay. "Only it's not over yet. I have to go to Japan for Honda and then I'll come back to Europe for personal things, sponsor obligations and for the team in England.

"There will be a few more days to come. Hopefully I'll be free in the middle of December."

The Dutchman states that he also can't resist getting into a car yet and is already joking about Christmas presents.

"I have two GT3 test days planned for Christmas. We are going to do that for a while. But that's not just for me, also for the team in GT3. After that it's already Christmas and I do really have a break," he added.

"I also have to buy Christmas presents, which I always do very late. For Gianpiero Lambiase (his race engineer) I buy a mouth cap. Then he can keep his mouth shut!"

Will he be able to escape sponsorship obligations? "I can't get out of that. Sometimes you want to, but on the other hand it's all fine once you're there," Verstappen concluded.

View an overview of Verstappen's itinerary below.