Max Verstappen wanted to foot the bill at this year’s drivers’ dinner, but another driver beat the Dutchman to it without him noticing.
Max Verstappen was supposed to invite his fellow drivers to the annual closing dinner before the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi and pay the bill—but in the end, another driver paid: Alpine driver Pierre Gasly had already settled the bill, much to the surprise of the former world champion.
As he reveals in the Red Bull podcast Talking Bull, it would actually have been Verstappen’s turn this time. “Well, I’ll tell you: last year, it was very nice of Valtteri [Bottas] to pick up the tab,” says the Dutchman.
“Then the drivers joked a bit, saying, ‘This year it’s Max’s turn.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ But I was sitting on the opposite side of the entrance to the private room,” said the Red Bull driver.
“Most of the evening was just fun, and then suddenly some people wanted to leave—and that’s when we realized that Pierre had already paid for dinner,” Verstappen recounted. “And I was sitting on the other side drinking my gin and tonics.”
The Dutchman continued: “Next time, I’ll have to say when I go in that I’ll pick up the tab at the end so I can finally pay for it.”
After host Nicola Hume joked that Verstappen’s round would only include tap water and a cheap standard menu for everyone, he replied: “No. I’m usually very generous with things like that. I just haven’t gotten around to paying yet—but I’m sure we’ll have another dinner next year.“
The dinner is currently hosted by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The Brit posted: ”Class of 2025. We are the only people in the world who do what we do, and we are incredibly happy for that.”
“I am grateful for this group of drivers I have the privilege of racing against, and even though we are competitors, there is nothing but respect. I am proud to call them my friends. I hope I can give you all a great final race of the season.”
