Before getting back behind the wheel Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen He was spotted on a padel court in São Paulo. A scene that has become almost commonplace for the Dutch three-time world champion, who no longer hides his passion for this rapidly growing sport.

But Verstappen is not an isolated case. More and more drivers of Formula 1 They trade the asphalt for the glass walls of a padel court whenever they have the opportunity. Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz or, Lando Norris They too have become regular practitioners of this discipline.

Padel is proving to be an ideal break in the busy schedules of drivers. Less demanding than tennis but just as competitive, it allows them to maintain their fitness. coordination, responsiveness and rapid decision-makingThree essential qualities in F1. According to Red Bull, which dedicated a feature to this phenomenon, padel attracts many top athletes precisely for this reason: "It's a technical but accessible sport that stimulates reflexes while allowing you to release tension." Playing in pairs also adds an important social dimension, fostering team spirit. Some drivers take advantage of this to strengthen their bonds in a more relaxed setting than the paddock.

While some are content to play for fun, Pierre Gasly went further. The French driver recently co-founded a professional padel team, 10Padel, involved in the Hexagon CupAn international competition inspired by the Ryder Cup model. Proof that padel is now moving beyond a simple hobby to become a real social phenomenon in the world of professional sports.

The reasons for this enthusiasm are numerous: mentally, it allows drivers to disconnect from the tension of race weekends while maintaining high concentration. Physically, it maintains speed, balance, and muscle tone without excessively straining the body. Socially, it offers a moment of sharing and friendly competition in a world where everything is meticulously planned. This combination makes padel the perfect complement for F1 drivers, who are always seeking a balance between performance and relaxation.

What began as a pastime is now becoming a real trend in the paddocks. FIP Tour et Premier Padel They are also increasing their promotional efforts in countries hosting Grand Prix races, particularly in Spain, Italy, and the Middle East, where several circuits have clubs attached to the team hotels. Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Gasly… the list grows longer with each season. What if padel simply became… the benchmark sport of the paddock ?

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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