In the midst of the glitz and glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Max Verstappen made headlines — but not for his driving.
Instead, the four-time Formula One world champion decided to skip the exclusive preview screening of the highly anticipated Brad Pitt film F1: The Movie.
Why? He chose to focus on his new role as a father and spend some precious time at home.
Skipping the Spotlight for Private Moments
Verstappen, known for keeping things low-key off the track, told Formula One Management well ahead of time that he wouldn’t be attending the screening.
“It wasn’t a mandatory event, and I just wanted to spend more time at home,” he explained.
“In F1, we’re away so much already. Now that my family is growing, I definitely prefer to be with them.”
He kept things simple when asked about his new parenting duties, but his message was clear — family comes first.
Lance Stroll was the other notable absentee, casually admitting he was just “doing stuff” and promised he’d catch the film eventually.
Monaco Grand Prix Weekend and The Film Buzz
The screening in Monaco brought together 18 other drivers, team chiefs, and guests as part of the buzzing atmosphere ahead of the Grand Prix.
This race is the middle stop in a hectic three-race stretch, following events in Italy and preceding the Spanish Grand Prix.
The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (famous for Top Gun: Maverick), stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
It’s produced by big names including Jerry Bruckheimer and Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton — who himself attended the Monaco preview.
Drivers Praise the Authenticity and Exciting Racing Scenes
After watching the film, many drivers shared their thoughts.
Carlos Sainz from Williams found the movie enjoyable and appreciated the effort to keep it real.
“For people new to F1, it will definitely attract an audience,” he said, though he noted some scenes felt a bit too Hollywood-style for diehard fans like himself.
Sainz highlighted the racing sequences as “insane” and the best part of the movie.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, called the experience “really cool” and was impressed by the storytelling and visuals.
“I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but I really enjoyed it,” he added.
A Real Dive Into the F1 World According to Pierre Gasly and James Vowles
Pierre Gasly of Alpine described the movie as a “beautiful” and authentic dive into the world of Formula One, confident that fans and newcomers alike would love it.
James Vowles, Williams’ team chief, gave high praise as well.
“I thought it was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “The filmmakers captured who we are and how we race really well.
I judge films by the goosebumps they give me, and I had several moments like that.”
Are You Excited to Watch F1 The Movie?
With its general release set for next month, F1: The Movie is generating a lot of buzz, from Hollywood stars to the people who live and breathe the sport.
Are you planning to watch it? Share your thoughts or drop a message to the team to join the conversation.