In a rare and moving gesture that has received national attention, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen left the circuit this weekend and went to the kitchen to personally prepare meals for a group of disabled veterans at a rehabilitation center in the Netherlands.

“They gave everything. The least I can do is give something back.”

Wearing a simple apron and with a sincere look in his eyes, Verstappen joined the volunteers at the  Veterans Reception Center  in Eindhoven. He spent the day grilling hamburgers, stirring stews, and sitting shoulder to shoulder with men and women who once proudly wore their country’s uniform.

“They gave more than most of us will ever understand,” Verstappen told reporters. “It’s not about publicity. It’s about presence. It’s about doing something real.”

The three-time Formula 1 champion, known for his immense attention to detail on the circuit, spent more than six hours at the complex and refused to leave until all veterans had been given a hot meal and personally served.

Veterans speechless at unexpected appearance of Verstappen

Many of the veterans present were stunned when Verstappen entered without an entourage, without a media crew and without any special announcements – just with a ladle in his hand and a smile on his face.

“He didn’t act like a celebrity,” said Erik Janssen, a retired Dutch Army officer. “He looked us straight in the eye and listened to our stories. He presented himself as a person, not a brand.”

An elderly veteran, who had served on peace missions in the Balkans, burst into tears after a quiet one-on-one moment with Verstappen. “For the first time, a celebrity didn’t look directly at us—he looked  at us  .”

More than a gesture: Verstappen launches veterans support program

Before leaving, Verstappen made an even bigger commitment. Through his charity, he donated €4.6 million to a new program called  Drive to Heal  , aimed at supporting disabled veterans with rehabilitation therapy, retraining, and trauma-related motorsports.

The initiative is expected to launch in early 2026 in collaboration with Dutch healthcare institutions and veterans’ organizations.

Online reaction: “Max Verstappen just won the circuit.”

A wave of praise erupted on social media, with hashtags like  #Maxorvets    ,    #Realchamp  , and  #DrivewithPurpose  trending worldwide. Even some of his fiercest racing rivals praised the decision on Twitter, with messages like:

“Max Verstappen not only set records on the circuit, but also set a good example on the circuit.