Max Verstappen changes plane: with Falcon 8X, he won’t need stopovers anymore. Max Verstappen has purchased a jet with a 12,000-kilometer range, capable of accommodating up to 18 passengers.

When the engines are off, every little detail becomes news. Max Verstappen’s purchase of a new private jet, an upgrade from the one he has used for the past three seasons, has not gone unnoticed. Max cannot be considered a driver who chases status symbols—he does not frequent prestigious locations and leads a private life, strictly off social media.

However, there is one thing Verstappen has never spared expenses on: the ability to travel with his own private jet. Max is the only Formula 1 driver who uses his personal aircraft for all Grand Prix stops, except for Monte Carlo, of course.

Even for long-haul trips, such as Australia, Japan, and Brazil, Verstappen does not fly commercial like other drivers, preferring the comfort of a private jet, even if it means making a few refueling stops. Over the past two years, an account on the social platform X has gained popularity by constantly tracking Max’s jet movements and commenting on his travels and stopovers.

The decision to purchase an even larger jet stems from his desire to minimize travel time. In a calendar packed with 24 races, the ability to move independently translates into several extra days of free time.

No airports, no lines, no waiting, no delays. Until last year, Max Verstappen used a Falcon 900EX (priced at 12 million euros), a plane with an 8,800-kilometer range that required stopovers for longer distances. This year, Max will have a Falcon 8X (costing three times more than the previous one), with a 12,000-kilometer range and room for up to eighteen passengers. The new jet will be ready in a few days, featuring the same livery as the previous one.

On return trips from race weekends, Verstappen has often invited other drivers on board, including Lando Norris. After their on-track contact at last year’s Austrian Grand Prix, one of the curiosities was their decision not to fly back to Monte Carlo together as initially planned before the race.

However, the most intriguing moment came two years ago when Helmut Marko claimed that Max Verstappen had installed a racing simulator on his jet. “Helmut misunderstood,” Max later clarified. “I was referring to the motorhome I use at European races. I don’t have a simulator on my plane… at least not yet.”