Max Verstappen during previews ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Max Verstappen Skipping Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Premiere Sends Quiet Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated May 22, 2025 2:22 PM ET

In a week full of glitz and glamour, and high-speed anticipation, Max Verstappen’s absence from the star studded F1 movie premiere in Monaco didn’t go unnoticed — especially given that the film was co-produced by none other than Lewis Hamilton.

With Hollywood stars and F1 elites gathering ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen’s no-show sparked speculation. Was it a snub, a scheduling conflict, or something more personal? The reigning world champion put the rumors to rest, but his explanation still raised eyebrows.

“The movie night wasn’t an obligation, but in private time,” Verstappen told the media. “And I’m already away from home so much. So I think it’s only normal that I want to be home on Wednesday evening.”

Verstappen emphasized that his choice wasn’t intended as a slight. “Would I have gone eight years ago? That’s hard to estimate,” he said. “But now that the family is growing, it wasn’t a difficult decision.”

His remarks struck a personal tone, offering a rare glimpse into how the Red Bull driver is prioritizing life off-track — even during one of Formula 1’s most high-profile weekends.

Verstappen has long maintained that racing is only one part of his life, and with increasing demands on his time, skipping a movie premiere to recharge at home might say more than it seems.

max: “the movie night wasn't an obligation, but in private time. and i’m already away from home so much. so i think it's only normal that i want to be home on wednesday evening. would i have gone eight years ago? that’s hard to estimate, but now that the family is growing it… pic.twitter.com/TnLI1TF6Ye
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) May 22, 2025

Still, the timing and visibility of the event — especially one tied to Hamilton — gave his absence a symbolic weight. As two of the sport’s most successful and competitive drivers continue to shape the F1 narrative, even personal choices like this one invite deeper interpretation.

With lights out looming in Monaco, Verstappen’s focus is clearly back where he wants it: on the track. But off it, his quiet message has already made noise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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