Max Verstappen expressed sharp criticism of his Formula 1 rivals during discussions surrounding the F1 movie premiere held last year in New York. The event took place ahead of the 2025 release of the high-profile film featuring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, where most F1 drivers gathered for the celebration. Verstappen notably skipped the premiere and a previous private screening in Monaco, choosing instead to prioritize time at home and training.
At the iconic Empire State Building, the F1 grid assembled dressed in formal attire to mark the occasion, presenting a black-and-white scene of suited participants. Verstappen’s absence attracted attention, especially after new footage appeared from the documentary series ‘Max Verstappen – New Ground,’ which offers an inside look at the Dutch driver’s perspective.
Verstappen Questions Suit Choices and Premises of Premiere Event
A revealing segment from the documentary features Verstappen in conversation with a team member who was reviewing footage from the F1 premiere on his phone. Verstappen asked,
Mate, what’s with this gala thing?
The team member replied,
Which gala thing? Oh, the F1 Movie,
referencing the event in question.
As the video showed Yuki Tsunoda wearing an ill-fitting suit, his colleague commented,
Everybody’s got a suit that’s way too big for them,
drawing a sharp comparison to the drivers’ attire. When asked why he had not attended, Verstappen responded bluntly,
We are actually doing performance. They’re all still sleeping there, and we’re working on performance.
He further explained to the camera his reluctance to participate in red carpet events, clarifying,
“I’m not the type of guy that wants to be on the red carpet. I’m not like that. I don’t want to hang around with famous people. I don’t need to be in front of the cameras, that’s really not me.”
Verstappen concluded with a candid remark,
That’s why I don’t want to rock up there and be in a suit and act important. We all s*** on the same toilet [laughs].
Availability of Verstappen’s Documentary Series
Fans interested in the three-part documentary ‘Max Verstappen – New Ground’ can currently access it on Viaplay if they reside in The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, or Norway. Unfortunately, viewers outside these countries do not yet have access to the series. Past documentaries featuring Verstappen have become available in the UK and US after initial releases, so enthusiasts are advised to check Verstappen.com for future availability updates.
Implications of Verstappen’s Stance on the F1 Community
Max Verstappen’s blunt rejection of the glamorous aspects surrounding the F1 premiere highlights the gap between his focus on performance and the high-profile media side of Formula 1. His comments underline a growing impatience with distractions that his rivals might indulge in, emphasizing his commitment to competition over appearances. This perspective may influence how drivers balance off-track commitments with their racing dedication in the lead-up to the new F1 film and upcoming seasons.
max: “… while we all shit from the same toilet.”
beautiful quote max (also love how he’s judging the gala outfits LMFAO) pic.twitter.com/yLehCyfwwG
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) February 17, 2026
