Max Verstappen 'breaks unwritten F1 rule' as Lewis Hamilton and other stars head out for end of season dinner | The Sun

MAX VERSTAPPEN has broken an "unwritten rule" by not showing up the Formula One drivers' end of season dinner in Abu Dhabi.

The new tradition is supposed to see all 20 drivers come together following the conclusion of the campaign to celebrate over dinner and drinks.

But this year's meal had a number of notable absentees including world champion Verstappen.

Only 11 of this year's drivers posed for a picture in the restaurant with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo all present.

While McLaren stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were with the group, but missed out on the snap around the table.

And despite seven drivers including Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso missing the dinner, it's Verstappen's no-show that will cause the biggest stir.

READ MORE F1 NEWS

lui beauty

Norris' ex-girlfriend labelled 'definition of beauty' as she flaunts curves

TURB0

Win a VW Tiguan R or £30k cash alternative from just 71p with our discount code

As the world champion he is on the unfortunate end of an unwritten rule that means he should be the one footing the bill.

Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg previously took to social media to let fans know about the secret ruling, saying: "The hidden agreement usually is that the world champion pays.”

Although that wasn't the case at last year's dinner when Verstappen got away with not paying once again.

Instead it was Hamilton that laid down his credit card despite the Dutchman being the champ in 2022.

Most read in Motorsport

F1 SHAME

Watch brawl break out at F1 party in Abu Dhabi as yobs hurl bottles of prosecco

BEN HUNT

Mercedes have work cut out for 2024 season after Hamilton’s damning assessment

DRIVE THEM MAD

Former F1 Wag shows off sideboob in barely-there top to celebrate birthday

GRINNING FORMULA

British F1 Wag Rebecca shows off stunning figure in blue one-piece

FREE BETS – BT BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

And there were no missing drivers that year as they all gathered to say goodbye to the retiring Sebastian Vettel after his last season on the grid.

It was a rare occasion to see all 20 drivers in the same place as Pierre Gasly revealed on the Beyond The Grid podcast.

He said: "I’ll remember that moment forever. It was the first time in five years we all got together.

“That’s what made it so authentic, and that’s probably one of the very few times you’ve seen the real side of people and drivers.

“You’ve always got closer relationships with certain drivers, but it’s almost like on that dinner, from the moment we closed the door, we all took our cap off our heads, and we’re like, ‘Okay, now, it’s just you get whatever you see.'"

Source: Read Full Article