A trip to Brazil and a long holiday in the Swiss snow. If the snaps on the Instagram accounts of Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet are to be believed, the couple had a great winter break. But the 2024 racing season is already fast approaching, so the Red Bull Racing driver is going to put his full focus on his fitness first and foremost from now on.

Six weeks before the first and only test, Verstappen has started to prepare for the upcoming, tough Formula 1 season on Monday. For the first time, Red Bull Racing’s Dutchman worked through a training session with his new personal trainer, Rupert Manwaring. The Brit replaces Bradley Scanes as Verstappen’s trainer from this season.

Verstappen has a busy year ahead

Verstappen has to get back to his target weight and be physically and fully ready for what promises to be a particularly tough season. Formula 1 will do 24 Grands Prix for the first time should there be no unexpected cancellations. The season’s first race is scheduled for Saturday, 2 March, with the concluding race, as usual, in Abu Dhabi. It will take place on December 8.

Verstappen will obviously try to win his fourth world title in a row. Given Red Bull Racing’s huge lead over the competition last season, it is only natural to think that the Dutchman and his Austrian team are the big favourites for 2024. And so the journey that should eventually lead to new world titles began on this Blue Monday, Monday 15 January 2024.