Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen arrived at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix aboard his newly delivered luxury yacht, ‘Unleash the Lion.’ Ordered two years prior, the customized vessel was delivered earlier this year and made its first public appearance docked at Monte Carlo Marina, attracting significant attention from fans and onlookers ahead of the race weekend.
Specifications and Features of ‘Unleash the Lion’
Boasting a price tag of $12.33 million, the ‘Unleash the Lion’ yacht reflects Verstappen’s taste for high-end and personalized luxury. The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests and features several cabins and staterooms designed for comfort and privacy. In addition, it includes a spacious lounging area, a stylish salon, and an opulent beach club for relaxation. According to reports, the yacht can travel up to 300 nautical miles at a top speed of 26 knots, balancing performance with lavish amenities.
Verstappen’s Lifestyle Amid Career and Family Milestones
As the highest-paid driver in Formula 1, projected to earn $78 million in 2025 according to Forbes, Verstappen continues to expand his collection of exclusive possessions. The delivery of his yacht coincided with major personal developments, as his longtime partner Kelly Piquet gave birth to their first daughter, Lily, just months after he took ownership of the vessel. Verstappen notably missed media day at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix to be present for the birth, indicating his priorities amidst a demanding racing schedule.
Challenges Ahead for Verstappen at Monaco Circuit
While Verstappen has enjoyed success early in the 2025 season, including a victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola on May 18, he expressed reservations about his prospects at Monaco. The tight and intricate layout of the Monaco track contrasts with faster circuits, creating setup difficulties for Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21 car. Speaking to Motorsport, Verstappen highlighted the differences between tracks.
“Imola has given us some good ideas about what we need from the car, but here it’s a very different track. You can’t set the car up like you did in Imola because it would bounce all over the place. This track is still not optimal for us.” — Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
“You can see this season that we can be competitive every time we go to tracks with high-speed corners, but the rest is more difficult. If you look at Imola, you could still see that the slowest corners weren’t our strongest on that track. We know that this track isn’t for our car, and that is still the same.” — Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
Despite these hurdles, Verstappen proved competitive during Friday’s first practice session at Monaco, finishing second, just over a tenth of a second behind Charles Leclerc, the Monaco Grand Prix favorite.
Significance of ‘Unleash the Lion’ and Future Expectations
The introduction of ‘Unleash the Lion’ adds a new chapter to Verstappen’s lifestyle as both an elite athlete and a public figure. This yacht not only symbolizes his status and means but may also serve as a private retreat amid an intense racing calendar and new fatherhood responsibilities. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s cautious outlook on Monaco suggests he remains focused on adapting to challenges and extracting maximum performance from his car in less favorable conditions.
