Max Verstappen Shares Quirky Detail About His F1 Cars originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Max Verstappen has revealed one of his quirkiest F1 habits yet — he considers all his F1 cars to be male, not female, and even named one of them after a Hollywood icon. 

Speaking in a light-hearted conversation, Verstappen explained: “My cars are always a he, even my F1 cars. It’s not a she. It’s a he.”

When asked by interviewer Chris Harris if his cars had names, Verstappen admitted he only named one: “I only named my 223 car. I called him Rocky. I think he deserved that.”

The name is a fitting tribute to his dominant 2023 season, where he and Red Bull set records for consecutive wins and secured another Drivers’ Championship.

“Rocky,” of course, evokes the legendary underdog boxer played by Sylvester Stallone — though Verstappen’s car was anything but an underdog, dominating from start to finish. 

Fans have long been fascinated by the personal relationships drivers form with their cars, often attributing human-like qualities to the machines they push to the limit each race weekend. While many drivers traditionally refer to their cars as female, Verstappen’s take adds an unusual twist to F1 culture. 

This playful insight shows a different side of Verstappen, who is best known for his fierce competitiveness and record-breaking performances on track. Naming his 2023 car “Rocky” gives fans a glimpse of how deeply connected he feels to the tools that have carried him to F1 greatness. 

With Verstappen continuing to chase more championships, fans will be watching closely to see if future cars earn names — and whether “Rocky” remains one of his favorites. 

Related: Carlos Sainz Breaks Silence on Missed Red Bull Chance With Max Verstappen

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.