Verstappen skips Brad Pitt F1 movie to stay with family

Monte Carlo: Max Verstappen caused a stir in F1 s most glamorous paddock on Thursday after choosing to attend to his duties as a new father instead of...

Monte Carlo: Max Verstappen caused a stir in F1's most glamorous paddock on Thursday after choosing to attend to his duties as a new father instead of going to an exclusive screening of the new Brad Pitt film 'F1: The Movie'.

Red Bull's four-time world champion and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll were the only absentee drivers for the preview showing of the Hollywood movie in Monaco on Wednesday evening - all part of the build-up to this weekend's Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who is no fan of promotion and marketing work beyond the needs of his own team, said he had declined the invitation well in advance. As to changing nappies, he made no comment.

"I told Formula One Management (FOM) that I would not be there," he said.

"They knew about it. I just wanted to spend more time at home. It wasn't a mandatory event and it was my private time.