Verstappen Prepared to Pay Driver Dinner Bill, but Gasly Secretly Covered It

Max Verstappen revealed he was fully prepared to settle the bill for the annual F1 driver dinner after his peers joked it was his turn, only to discover that Pierre Gasly had already discreetly paid for the entire group's meal in Abu Dhabi.

Why it matters:

The annual driver dinner is a rare tradition that cuts through the fierce on-track rivalries, showcasing the mutual respect and camaraderie among the 20 drivers on the grid. These moments humanize the sport's elite athletes, offering fans a glimpse into the unique bond they share as the only people in the world who do what they do.

The details:

• The unwritten rule of who pays is a recurring topic, with past champions like Nico Rosberg suggesting an 18-way split and Valtteri Bottas treating the grid to dinner last year as a farewell.
• This year, with Verstappen as the reigning World Champion, the drivers joked that the bill was his responsibility.
• Verstappen was willing: He confirmed he was ready to pay, stating, "I’m normally very generous with these kind of things. So, yeah, I just didn’t get to pay yet."
• Gasly's surprise move: Sitting closer to the restaurant's entrance, Gasly managed to pay the tab without anyone noticing until the end of the night.
  • Verstappen recounted the moment: "...suddenly, okay, so many people are wanting to go, and then we realised that Pierre already paid for the dinner."
• Gasly later confirmed his act on Alpine's social media, simply replying "Yes" when asked if he had paid, and describing the dinner as "Expensive."

Looking Ahead:

Verstappen took the good-natured ribbing in stride, joking that he'll have to inform the staff beforehand to ensure he can finally pay next year. The incident adds another lighthearted chapter to the driver dinner tradition, leaving fans to wonder who will be on the hook for the bill after the 2025 season finale.