In the middle of the Formula 1 season, social media feeds lit up with a dramatic claim. A post on Threads declared: “BREAKING: Max Verstappen, Formula 1 World Champion, Declares He Will Boycott F1’s Pride Night.”
The same message echoed on X, where one account insisted Verstappen had refused to celebrate Pride month, calling it “woke political posturing.”
Fans reacted instantly. Some said they admired him for “speaking his mind,” while others accused him of turning his back on inclusivity. Within hours, the rumor had spread far beyond the racing world.
The Reality
Here’s the truth: Max Verstappen never said any of it. The quotes were invented, and the story was built out of thin air. Independent fact checkers, including AFP, looked into the viral posts and confirmed there is no record of Verstappen making those remarks.
Verstappen has been clear in past interviews that his focus is on performance and competition. He has not publicly rejected Pride events, nor has he made a statement about boycotting any official Formula 1 celebrations.
The viral posts were designed to trigger outrage. And in that sense, they worked.
Why Fans Should Care
Rumors like this hit hard because they play on real debates inside sport. Pride Nights and other social initiatives divide opinion. Some fans believe they show progress and inclusivity. Others argue that sport should remain “neutral” and avoid politics.
That tension makes it easy for a fake headline to catch fire. In this case, Verstappen became the center of a culture war he never asked to join.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: be careful with what you share. A quick check of the source can save a lot of confusion. And until Verstappen speaks for himself, the only thing that should define him is what he does behind the wheel.
