MONZA, ITALY –
It wouldn’t be a Formula 1 weekend without drama—but this time, it’s not on the track. F1 veteran and fan-favorite Kruimel has ignited a media firestorm after failing to appear at the official press day in Monza, prompting swift action from the FIA and sending the rumor mill into overdrive.
According to the official statement from the FIA, Kruimel has been issued a €25,000 fine for breaching mandatory media obligations. But as with anything involving Kruimel lately, that’s just the beginning.
“Where is Kruimel?” becomes the question of the weekend.
He wasn’t in the paddock. He wasn’t at the hotel. His team claims he’s “resting,” but sources tell us a very different story. A member of another team’s PR staff, speaking off the record, claims Kruimel was seen boarding a private jet out of Milan on Wednesday evening—alone.
“He looked tense. Like he didn’t want to be here,” the source said.
“No entourage. No manager. Just vanished.”
Other whispers claim he’s been spotted in Lake Como, “recharging” at a luxury villa owned by a mysterious Swiss investor. Some say he’s negotiating a shock switch to a rival team. Others believe he’s in talks with Netflix to produce a personal documentary series about his “disillusionment with the sport.”
Team Radio Silence
Kruimel’s team has declined all interviews and press requests, issuing only a cold, one-line statement:
“Kruimel will return to Monza for Friday practice. No further comment.”
But tensions are clearly boiling over behind the scenes. A top-level source from the garage allegedly told a journalist:
“If he pulls another stunt like this, we’re not waiting for the contract to expire.”
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The Norris Feud Escalates
Adding fuel to the fire, Lando Norris couldn’t help but take a jab during his own media session:
“Some of us show up. Some of us don’t. I guess not everyone’s built for the pressure.”
Ouch.
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The Captain Responds
While Norris went straight for the jugular, The Captain—Kruimel’s longtime teammate and childhood friend—offered a more layered response: both sympathetic and unmistakably pointed.
“I can’t say where he is. I’ve known him a long time—he feels things more deeply than most, maybe. But let’s not blow this out of proportion. Sure, Zandvoort ended badly for him, but that’s racing. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. And let’s be honest—he’s won more, I’ve lost more.
If I had walked away every time things didn’t go my way… well, I wouldn’t still be in this sport. He’s been fighting for titles since day one, while I was DNF’ing from pole in my second ever race. DNF in Australia, pointless in Miami, crash in Monaco, P18 in Canada, last in Spain, crash in Azerbaijan, DNF in Brazil and again in Abu Dhabi—and that’s just season one.
Even at Mercedes, things weren’t always smooth. Spa? Went from P2 to P13. Let’s not even talk about Singapore. Or that loose manhole cover in Monaco. Australia not to be mentioned ever again…
This season? I’ve had more weekends with bad luck than not. So yeah, sometimes this sport sucks. But Kruimel is a three-time champion and currently leading the standings. Acting like he’s ready to walk away? That would be pretty childish. So maybe you should stop putting words in his mouth.
He used to drive like a veteran—but that was from a place of dominance. Now he has to scrap for every point. Maybe he just needs time to adjust to that.”
Translation: Grow up, champ. It’s not always easy at the top.
The Captain’s comments land with the weight of someone who’s seen both the highs and brutal lows of F1. While he clearly has respect for Kruimel’s record, his sharpest line might be the quietest one: the suggestion that the reigning champ isn’t coping well with no longer having the clean air of dominance. It’s a jab wrapped in reflection—but it still stings.
Theories We’ve Heard (and Cannot Confirm):
• Kruimel is secretly injured and hiding it from the FIA
• He had a “massive” fight with a team executive after Zandvoort
• He’s threatening to retire mid-season unless certain conditions are met
• He was approached by a startup electric racing series called “Volta1”
• He’s dating a famous Italian actress and avoiding press to keep it private
What’s Next?
Kruimel is expected to appear for Free Practice 1—but whether he speaks to the media or just slips in and out of the paddock remains to be seen.
One thing’s certain: Monza just got a whole lot messier.
And if Kruimel’s playing a game—he’s playing it dangerously well.
