Gasly Pays F1 Drivers' Dinner Bill, Taking Verstappen's Turn

In a twist at the annual F1 drivers' dinner in Abu Dhabi, it was Alpine's Pierre Gasly who picked up the hefty tab, not four-time champion Max Verstappen as many had anticipated. Verstappen, who was expected to pay following Valtteri Bottas's generosity last year, revealed he simply missed the moment to settle the bill. The Dutchman joked that he was too far away from the entrance when the check arrived.

Why it matters:

This lighthearted story offers a rare glimpse into the off-track camaraderie among F1's elite competitors. While they battle wheel-to-wheel on Sundays, traditions like this dinner and the etiquette of who pays reveal a unique bond and mutual respect that exists away from the track, showing a different side of the sport's biggest stars.

The details:

• The annual end-of-season dinner in Abu Dhabi is a well-established tradition for all 20 F1 drivers, often resulting in a significant bill.
• Following last year's dinner, which was paid for by Valtteri Bottas, drivers joked that it was Max Verstappen's turn to cover the cost.
• However, Pierre Gasly—Verstappen's former Red Bull teammate—generously stepped in and paid the bill before Verstappen had the chance.
• Verstappen's explanation: The champion clarified he wasn't avoiding the responsibility but was sitting on the other side of the private room and didn't see the bill being settled. He dismissed a joke that he had gone to the restroom to avoid it.
• Unwritten etiquette: Verstappen noted that it's an unwritten rule for more experienced, senior drivers to handle the bill, not rookies, a tradition that helps maintain a good spirit among the grid.

What's next:

Verstappen is already looking ahead to next year's dinner, vowing to finally get his chance to pay. He assured everyone he is generous and simply wants to uphold the tradition, promising to make his move early in the evening to avoid a repeat of this year's mix-up.