Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, openly expressed his dislike for red carpet events, calling them “horrible.” Known for steering clear of large public gatherings, Verstappen’s views highlight his discomfort with the performative nature of such occasions. These remarks came shortly after the recent premiere of F1: The Movie on June 16 at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, a high-profile event Verstappen chose to skip despite his central role in the film.
While many prominent drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and George Russell attended the premiere, Verstappen stayed away. When asked by The Sun about his opinions on dressing up and attending these events, he stated:
“I don’t like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don’t like to interact with people that I don’t really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat. It’s horrible, I just don’t enjoy it.”
—Max Verstappen, F1 World Champion
Representing Red Bull at the premiere were team principal Christian Horner and Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Although Verstappen was absent in person, he appears multiple times in the movie, alongside stars such as Brad Pitt, who portrays Sonny Hayes, a driver for the fictional APXGP racing team, with Damson Idris playing teammate Joshua Pearce.
Verstappen’s Challenging Start to the Austrian Grand Prix Weekend
At the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen faced a difficult qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing seventh on the grid after a late yellow flag disrupted his final Q3 run. This placed him behind competitors including Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Liam Lawson.
Discussing the qualifying, Verstappen said:
“Let’s see, I mean, yesterday was indeed a bit unlucky with that yellow flag, but we will try to have a good race, you know, hopefully we can overtake a few car, make it exciting out there and just enjoy the day.”
—Max Verstappen, F1 World Champion
Currently third in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship standings following ten rounds, Verstappen has accumulated 155 points. This puts him behind the McLaren duo, with Oscar Piastri leading at 198 points and Lando Norris in second with 178 points. Verstappen’s performance moving forward will be closely watched as he attempts to recover positions during the upcoming race, especially in a circuit renowned for its overtaking opportunities.
Implications for Verstappen and the Season Ahead
Verstappen’s open critique of red carpet events underlines his preference for focusing on racing rather than the glamor surrounding the sport. His choice to skip high-profile functions like the F1 movie premiere signals a clear boundary between his public image and personal comfort.
On the track, his seventh-place start in Austria presents a renewed challenge in a fiercely competitive season, intensifying the pressure on the four-time world champion to reclaim ground on leaders like Piastri and Norris. As the season progresses, Verstappen’s ability to maneuver through the field and capitalize on overtaking spots at the Red Bull Ring will be pivotal to his championship ambitions and the dynamics of the 2025 Formula 1 season.