F1 racing stars at Melbourne cafes, surf parks and strolling CBD laneways ahead of Grand Prix

Formula One drivers have been living it up in Melbourne ahead of the Grand Prix, with some of racing’s biggest stars popping up in unlikely places.

Formula One drivers have been exploring Melbourne ahead of the Grand Prix, with some stars simply strolling the streets, others enjoying the city’s coffee and culinary delights and more than one taking to the surf.

Dashing British Mercedes driver George Russell has been spotted admiring, walking around and posing up next to Melbourne’s famous Yarra River. He has also posted sky-high photos to social media of Marvel Stadium and Docklands, describing the city as “awesome” and saying “it’s great to be back”.

Mercedes driver George Russell at Southbank. Picture: Supplied

British McLaren driver Lando Norris and Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda, driving for Red Bull, have also been exploring Melbourne’s CBD on foot, with Tsunoda soaking in the city’s vibrant CBD and savouring its famous coffee and culinary delights.

Meanwhile Norris was clearly struck by Melbourne’s iconic laneways and street art, posing up in Hosier Lane and other well-known spots.

Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda out and about in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

Tsunoda enjoying a Melbourne ice coffee. Picture: Supplied

McLaren driver Lando Norris loves Melbourne’s street art. Picture: Supplied

Norris exploring Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

Norris is also a fan of Melbourne’s iconic laneways. Picture: Supplied

Cyclists may have spotted Finland’s witty Valterri Bottas, driving for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, pedalling at speed around Albert Park or catching waves at the Urbnsurf park, David Hasselhoff, Baywatch-style.

And he’s not the only one who has been posting impressive surfing photos from the park, with Monacan Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc — a keen surfer — also posting pictures and saying: “So good to be back surfing at @urbnsurf.”

In a cheeky twist, Leclerc indulged in a little photoshopping to make the waves, and his surfing prowess, significantly greater than the reality.

Valtteri Bottas recreates Baywatch at the Urbnsurf park. Picture: Supplied

Bottas doing hot laps of the Albert Park track on his bike. Picture: Supplied

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc at Urbnsurf. Picture: Supplied

Leclerc admitted to a spot of cheeky photoshopping. Picture: Supplied

Daniel Ricciardo at Docklands. Picture: Supplied

Ricciardo rides his scooter around the Albert Park circuit. Picture: AFP

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo share a joke on a Melbourne beach. Picture: Getty

The Red Bull drivers enjoy a walk on the sand. Picture: Getty

Ferrari's British reserve driver Oliver Bearman at the Albert Park circuit. Picture: AFP

Aston Martin's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (R) walks around the Albert Park circuit. Picture: AFP

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes arrives in the Paddock at Albert Park. Picture: Getty

Fanfare greets Hamilton as he walks past. Picture: Getty

Melbourne’s own Oscar Piastri signs autographs at the Albert Park circuit. Picture: AFP

Aussie favourites Daniel Ricciardo, for Red Bull, and Melbourne’s own young gun Oscar Piastri, for McLaren, made it known they were happy to be back on Aussie soil, with Ricciardo posting a video against the striking Melbourne skyline for a Save the Children helmet auction fundraiser, and Piastri saying that he was “bringing the outback vibes to Melbourne” with his choice of helmet.

Piastri also posted pictures and video of himself wearing a Richmond jersey and signing autographs at the Grand Prix circuit, saying “thanks for the Aussie welcome”.

Teen heart-throb British Ferrari newcomer Ollie Bearman has been snapped in Melbourne, as have Belgian/Dutch star Max Verstappen, racing for Red Bull, and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet.

Mega star Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes took to the Grand Prix’s Albert Park circuit on Thursday to fanfare, as did Aston Martin’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso on Wednesday.