Verstappen explains absence from Monaco F1 movie screening

Max Verstappen has explained why he skipped the private Formula 1 movie screening for the drivers ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.

On Wednesday night FOM organised a private viewing of the upcoming F1: The Movie for all 20 F1 drivers and several senior figures in a movie theatre in Monaco, ahead of this weekend's grand prix.

In the end 18 out of the 20 drivers turned up for the occasion, with world champion Max Verstappen and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll giving the event a miss.

Verstappen has been known not to particularly enjoy the hoo-ha around his sport, nor go overboard with media and sponsor activities. But the Dutchman didn't particularly boycott the event and much as wanting to spend more time at home amid a busy triple-header of Imola, Monaco and Barcelona.

"I told FOM way in advance that I would not be there that evening. They knew about that," Verstappen said when asked why he gave the screening a pass.

Verstappen, who recently became a father, instead spent time at home and was also seen racing online with his Team Redline sim racing squad.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

"I just wanted to spend more time at home. It wasn't a mandatory event either, it was just my private time. And I prefer to spend that private time at home, especially because in Formula 1 you're away from home so much already.

"Wanting to spend more time at home on days like that, is pretty normal, I think. Now that the family is growing, then I definitely prefer to spend more time at home."

Stroll also opened up on his absence. "Just stuff," the Canadian offered. "At some point I'll watch it."

F1's feature film, which will be released in June, stars Damson Idris's character Joshua Pearce alongside Brad Pitt's Sonny Hayes, a retired veteran racer making a comeback for the fictional APX GP team.

FOM recently presented the final trailer for the movie, directed by Top Gun Maverick's Joseph Kosinski. Filming for the movie took place at grands prix in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and Monza, while the iconic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking also makes an appearance as the APX GP headquarters.

Producers of the film include Top Gun's Jerry Bruckheimer as well as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has played an advisory role to ensure F1's first Hollywood feature is as authentic as possible. The F1 film will be released in cinemas from 25 June internationally and 27 June in North America.