Two-time world champion Max Verstappen was recently spotted in Monaco holding a tote bag in public. Considering Verstappen’s image and how he is often painted by the media, this surprised many fans, who never expected him to carry accessories like this outside his home.
Verstappen is the most dominant driver in F1 at the moment and has been regarded as a fierce, and ruthless competitor over the years. He is also projected as blunt and aggressive. That’s why, when he was spotted using a bag that is generally considered to be feminine, fans were astonished.
a man (max verstappen) and his silly tote bag against the world.. hes just like me forreal pic.twitter.com/zzKKySp4rc
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) June 10, 2023
As always, F1 Twitter immediately reacted to this by sharing some hilarious reactions on the internet. This particular version of Max Verstappen isn’t spotted very often, so it’s understandable why fans consider this a rare and special moment.
Fans react to “Babygirl” Max Verstappen spotted in Monaco
In general, fans were awed to see Verstappen carry a tote bag. It was nice to see the Dutchman away from F1, being himself, and not caring about what others around him thought about his attire.
However, one thing which puzzled many people in the F1 community was: why was Verstappen carrying this bag in the first place. Was he holding it for his partner Kelly Piquet? Or did he really like it, and wanted to use it for himself?
Nini on Twitter felt very relatable to Verstappen. “Max Verstappen with a tote bag? oh, he’s just like me for real,” the account wrote.
max verstappen with a tote bag? oh hes just like me forreal … pic.twitter.com/mqZbFaKiTl
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) June 9, 2023
Another fan pointed out that Verstappen wasn’t wearing his Red Bull merch. Since the 25-year-old doesn’t go out all that much, fans have mostly seen him wear his team’s colors. This time, however, Verstappen was not wearing a Red Bull t-shirt. On top of that, he also had a tote bag.
not in a rb merch AND a having a tote bag? who are u and what did u do to max verstappen pic.twitter.com/Q2jpgZPMcw
— shanaia (@leclercz16) June 10, 2023
On the other hand, one fan got extremely carried away. The account named Tan on Twitter went as far as labeling Max Verstappen as ‘Babygirl’. “If Max Verstappen not Babygirl why so Babygirl coded then???” the tweet wrote.
if max verstappen not babygirl why so babygirl coded then??? pic.twitter.com/50qZCrz3Xv
— tan³³ ⁵⁵ (@lando_sushitime) June 10, 2023
Verstappen breaking norms of traditionally “masculine” F1 drivers
Ever since the origin days of F1, the stars of his sport have been hailed as fierce competitors and painted in a masculine light. In this male dominated sport, any driver who isn’t following the norms that society considers “masculine” is often alienated and made fun of.
Three weeks ago, this was starkly visible after the conclusion of the Monaco GP. Esteban Ocon, whom fans call ‘Estie Bestie’ in a very affectionate way, referred to himself in that name, after finishing P3. Most fans loved the wholesomeness, but there were some older fans, who considered it to be “cringe” and feminine.
reading the words “estie bestie” seriously makes me throw up pic.twitter.com/3tjOx6VCtx
— kaz 🇮🇳 (@kazrrari) March 15, 2023
With Verstappen breaking the norm with the small gesture of carrying a tote bag, we can take a look at his rival Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is a huge fan of fashion. Often, he is seen arriving to the paddock wearing vibrant clothes, that the older fans of the sport don’t like.
Nevertheless, drivers and F1 themselves are trying to change the culture in F1. Hamilton and other stars have often stated that fans and athletes have the liberty to dress how they like, without caring about what others feel.
