Max Verstappen is one of the most intense Formula 1 drivers. That intensity was on display when he expressed his feelings about the upcoming LEGO parade on Sunday at the British Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver didn’t hold any punches when sharing his disdain for the event, and it makes you wonder if Verstappen will participate in such a thing ever again.
On Sunday, F1 will transform the Drivers’ Parade “into a full-scale spectacle, with 22 drivable LEGO minicars in each of the teams’ colors taking to the track just moments before lights out.”
The LEGO cars in the parade are each made from 28,000 LEGO bricks. Sounds pretty cool and innocent enough. Just don’t ask Verstappen.
“We are F1 drivers,” Verstappen declared, via Autosport. “We shouldn’t look like kids and clowns trying to ram into each other.”
The LEGO parade is in conjunction with the toy company’s partnership with F1.
According to F1, over 6,400 combined hours were spent on the development and construction of the minicars. They reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, with each minicar weighing just over 600 pounds, of which approximately 143 pounds are LEGO bricks.
Verstappen participated last year
Verstappen took part in the event in 2025 in Miami, and it appeared like he was having a blast.
Keyword, appeared.
Verstappen took the driver’s seat with Yuki Tsunoda of Japan, waving to the crowd and smiling. Maybe he’s a good actor?
Whatever the case, it can’t sit well with F1 executives that one of the sport’s stars feels like a “clown” riding on a minicar created by one of the sport’s main sponsors.
Being in media for more than two decades, I can only guess that some high-ranking F1 executive(s) had or are planning to have a frank conversation with Verstappen about his harsh comments, practically directed at a major sponsor, which, by the way, pays the bills.
He may not care about their input, but it doesn’t bode well that Verstappen was this blunt about an event created for the fans.
Not to mention the sport’s future fans.
