Max Verstappen Snubs F1’s Flashy World, Admits He Hates the Spotlight

Max Verstappen loves Formula 1 but don’t expect to see him enjoying the glamorous side of the sport. The reigning champion has made it clear that he has little patience for the glitz that follows F1 and he’s not afraid to admit it.

Speaking ahead of the Austrian GP, Verstappen offered an honest take on why he avoids the spotlight whenever possible. “Being authentic is not something I have to try and focus on,” he said. “It’s just who I am.”

This comes after the drivers showed up at the premier of the F1 Movie co-produced by Lewis Hamilton. “I don’t like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don’t like to interact with people I don’t really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat,” Verstappen confessed. “It’s horrible, I just don’t enjoy it.”

It’s a candid admission that sets Verstappen apart in a sport often tied to luxury events, celebrity parties, and sponsor gatherings. While some drivers lean into these events, Verstappen remains laser focused on the track and is quick to distance himself from the circus that surrounds it.