Despite being the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen has admitted that he doesn't pay much attention to the sport's news in his time off.
The Dutchman's incredible run over the last three seasons, collecting a trio of titles and setting new records for dominance, has seen him become a celebrity who transcends his own sport.
His Instagram account alone, for example, boasts over 11 million followers, while his ever-growing list of ventures see him appeal to multiple different racing audiences.
"I don't follow very many Formula 1-related accounts or people anyway," Verstappen told Formule 1.nl.
Max Verstappen is a three-time Formula 1 world championChristian Horner has recently revealed that Max Verstappen is 'uncomfortable' with the limelightMax Verstappen claimed 19 race victories in 2023, including 10 in a row
However, despite this apparent racing obsession, the Dutchman has admitted that he tries to stay away from F1 during his down-time.
Last season was the joint-longest in F1 history, and the upcoming 2024 season will be the longest the sport has ever seen, spanning 21 different countries and running from February-December.
"I consciously ignore a lot of Formula 1 news, then at a certain point it no longer appears in my timeline," he added.
"Actually, I only follow other sports and athletes, also to gain balance in my life. I don't want to know everything - especially when I'm at home - about what's going on in the paddock.”