A constellation of Formula 1’s brightest stars came together to celebrate the culmination of the season, partaking in a shared meal that is swiftly becoming a cherished tradition. Roughly half of the grid converged at the familiar venue, reprising a location visited after the previous season’s end, where Lewis Hamilton had orchestrated a celebration in honor of Sebastian Vettel’s retirement.
Despite the thrilling conclusion to the season with Max Verstappen clinching victory once again in Abu Dhabi, there was a conspicuous absence this year. Notably, both Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, were missing from the gathering, even though they had been in attendance during the previous season’s celebratory meal. The omission sparked intrigue and speculation among fans and fellow drivers alike, adding an element of mystery to the customary post-season festivities.
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, has seemingly deviated from an unspoken agreement by abstaining from the end-of-season dinner in Abu Dhabi, where tradition dictates the champion foots the bill. Only 11 out of the 20 active drivers graced the gathering, with notable exclusions such as Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen’s departure from this customary camaraderie-building event may raise eyebrows among his fellow drivers. Historically, the unwritten understanding has been that the world champion covers the expenses for the meal, a tradition Verstappen reportedly did not uphold last season, with Lewis Hamilton taking charge of the bill instead. The perceived snub adds an intriguing twist to the post-season narrative, leaving fans and insiders curious about the dynamics within the F1 community.
The recent photograph showcases 11 drivers, with a degree of uncertainty surrounding the unoccupied seat next to Hamilton, leaving fans to speculate whether it was momentarily filled by another racer. In the image, Hamilton is joined by Charles Leclerc, Yuki Tsunoda, Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Alex Albon, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Lance Stroll. The camaraderie displayed in this relaxed setting reflects a shared moment of respite for these drivers following the conclusion of the demanding 22-race season.
Posting the photo on Instagram Zhou wrote: ‘It’s been a long season with some highs & many difficulties but thanks for @alfaromeostake everyone’s hard work, we will bounce back next year!
‘Thanks to @alfaromeoofficial for the amazing times together!
‘Thanks to all my fans & supporters during the season!’
Zhou, having secured a contract extension with Alfa Romeo a couple of months ago, looks forward to building on his two seasons, both concluding with an 18th-place finish. A glance at the candle-lit table reveals mostly empty plates, hinting that the drivers found satisfaction in their culinary choices.
Last year, it was reported that Hamilton footed the bill when all 20 drivers attended, but the payer for this year’s gathering remains unclear.
The season itself has been notably repetitive, with Verstappen clinching victory in 19 out of the 22 races on the calendar. The champion, pictured alongside his girlfriend Kelly Piquet, celebrated his third consecutive title triumph.
Sergio Perez, securing second place in the Drivers’ Championship, claimed two race victories. Interestingly, the only non-Red Bull driver to stand on the top step of the podium this season was Carlos Sainz in Singapore. The conclusion of the dinner adds another layer of intrigue to the post-season narrative, leaving fans speculating about the dynamics among the F1 elite.
