Limburg – While the international media prepared for extensive interviews and glittering afterparties after his victory in the Grand Prix of Hungary, Max Verstappen opted for a completely different path. Instead of having the champagne pop at exclusive parties in Monaco or to appear live on large television shows, he went unobtrusively to the Netherlands on a private flight. His destination: a small primary school in his Birth Region Limburg.
What happened there would move the whole of the Netherlands and bewildered the world. Verstappen arrived without a fanfare, without a press, and personally handed over a check of no less than45 million euros– his full prize money of the weekend – to fully renovate and expand the school.
According to the school director, who was visibly emotional, Verstappen came in unannounced, greeted the teachers and children, and explained why he was there. “He said that this place reminded him of where his own dreams started. He wants the children of Limburg to get the same opportunities, or even more than he ever had.”
The school, which had been struggling with outdated classrooms, leaking roofs and a shortage of modern learning resources for years, will be completely transformed thanks to this donation. Plans are already ready for a brand new sports field, a science and technology center, and interactive classrooms with the latest digital learning resources.
But the most special moment came when Verstappen left a short note for the children, written in his own handwriting:
“Every success starts here. Cherish your dreams, work hard, and know that you can achieve everything.”
When the news leaked via social media, the reactions started. Fans all over the world praised his gesture. “This is the Max Verstappen who needs to know the world – not only a champion on the circuit, but also a champion for the future of children,” wrote a fan on Twitter/X.
Others noticed how unusual it is that an athlete of his caliber gives away such a huge amount without looking for publicity for that. “He could have kept this quiet, but the fact that he went anyway and handed it personally shows that it comes from the heart,” said a teacher from the region.
The campaign has now also reached international media. Large newspapers in Great Britain, Italy and even Japan call it “one of the most genuine donations in sports history”.
Verstappen himself indicated in a short telephone conversation with a Dutch journalist that he is not looking for attention. “It’s not about me, it’s about them. Everything I have achieved started in a place like this one.”
With this deed, Max Verstappen not only confirmed his title as champion, but also his role as a source of inspiration for the next generation – in Limburg, the Netherlands, and far beyond.
