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

“They gave it their all. The least I can do is give something back.”

Wearing a simple apron and a sincere look in his eyes, Verstappen joined the volunteers at the  Veterans Care 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. “This is not about publicity. It’s about presence. It’s about doing something real.”

The three-time Formula 1 champion, known for his immense focus on the track, spent more than six hours at the complex and refused to leave until every veteran had been given a hot, personally served meal.

Veterans speechless by Verstappen’s unexpected appearance

Many of the veterans present were stunned when Verstappen entered without an entourage, without a media crew and without any special announcement – ​​just 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, he listened to our stories. He showed himself as a person, not as a brand.”

An elderly veteran, who had served in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, was seen breaking down in tears after a quiet one-on-one moment with Verstappen. “For once, a celebrity wasn’t looking past us – he was looking  at  us.”

More than a gesture: Verstappen launches veterans support program

Before he left, Verstappen made an even bigger commitment. Through his charity, he donated €4.6 million to launch a new program called  Drive to Heal , aimed at supporting disabled veterans with trauma recovery, retraining and motorsport therapy.

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

Online reaction: “Max Verstappen just won off the track”

Social media erupted in praise, with hashtags such as  #MaxForVets  ,  #RealChamp  and  #DriveWithPurpose  trending worldwide. Even some of his fiercest racing rivals praised the move on Twitter, with one post reading:

“Max Verstappen not only set records on the track, he also set a good example off the track.