England football captain Harry Kane, manager Thomas Tuchel, and the majority of the national squad traded the training ground for the high-octane atmosphere of the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The team-bonding outing, attended by nearly all 26 members of Tuchel’s squad, offered a chance to unwind and connect ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Andorra and a friendly against Senegal.
The sun-soaked Circuit de Catalunya, with temperatures hovering just below 30°C, provided the perfect backdrop for the England players to soak in the glamour of Formula One’s ninth race of the 2025 season. Kane, fresh off celebrating his first major career trophy with Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga triumph in May, was a focal point at the event. The England skipper was seen engaging warmly with fans, posing for selfies, and signing autographs, showcasing the leadership and approachability that have defined his tenure as captain. He also shared a moment with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ George Russell before the race, expressing his support for McLaren’s Lando Norris, a driver he openly admires for his rising star status in F1.
Tuchel, dressed casually in a short-sleeved shirt and baseball cap, appeared relaxed as he mingled with players and Formula One dignitaries, including F1 boss Stefano Domenicali. The German manager, who took over as England’s head coach in January 2025, orchestrated the trip as part of his strategy to foster team unity during his second international camp. Having kicked off his tenure with convincing victories over Albania and Latvia, Tuchel is keen to maximize time with his squad before the 2026 World Cup, especially with the Club World Cup looming just days after England’s friendly against Senegal on June 10.
Among the players spotted in the paddock were Jude Bellingham, who was seen interacting with fans, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently announced his move to Real Madrid. However, not all moments were seamless. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka drew attention for his reluctance to engage with Sky F1’s grid walk interviews, prompting some fans on social media to label his behavior as aloof. In contrast, Kane and Newcastle’s Dan Burn were praised for their friendly and enthusiastic interactions with the media, with Kane sharing his passion for Formula One and his hopes for Norris’s performance.
The outing wasn’t without its absentees, as four unnamed players were missing from the team-bonding photos, though reports suggest attendance was close to 100 percent. The event also attracted other footballing stars, including Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Aymeric Laporte, adding to the star-studded atmosphere in Montmeló. For Tuchel, the trip was a deliberate move to balance intense preparations with moments of camaraderie, especially as he navigates the challenge of keeping players like Kane, Bellingham, and others fresh for both international duties and the upcoming Club World Cup, where several squad members are set to compete.