Revealed: Why Max Verstappen skipped special F1 movie screening in Monaco

Max Verstappen has revealed Formula 1 was "well aware" of his decision to miss the special screening of Brad Pitt’s new F1 movie on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The reigning four-time World Champion insists he holds no ill feelings towards the film and plans to watch it upon its release.

The details:

• A private screening of the upcoming F1 film, starring Brad Pitt, was held for drivers and team bosses on Wednesday evening ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. 18 of the 20 active drivers attended.
• Verstappen and Lance Stroll were the notable absentees.
• Verstappen was seen live-streaming his sim-racing activities, with his alter ego Franz Hermann making an appearance.
• His absence sparked speculation that Verstappen, a known critic of "glitzy events" and Netflix's "Drive to Survive," might disapprove of an F1-based movie.

What Verstappen said:

• "I notified FOM about that, so they were well aware that I wasn’t attending," Verstappen told media.
• "I wanted to spend more private time – because it is private time at the end of the day, the evening also."
• "I think it’s coming out on June 27 [US release date] so I’ll download it on Apple."
• "Of course I get it. There was the opportunity to watch it, but if I watch it now or in three or four weeks, that’s fine as well."
• "I heard good stuff from the movie, so I’m sure that it’s going to be exciting.”

Other driver reactions:

• Alex Albon: "Good. I think they’ve done a good balance... I think for Hollywood and for what we do, I think they did a good job.”
• Gabriel Bortoleto: "I think it’s a very Hollywood one, but it’s nice. It’s going to be very good for those that still don’t know this sport so much and it’s going to be very good for our sport."