The mystery is over—well, sort of. After days of swirling speculation, cryptic team statements, and social media chaos, we finally know where Kruimel disappeared to in the lead-up to the Monza Grand Prix. And no, it wasn’t Lake Como.
According to newly leaked information, the reigning world champion stayed behind in the Netherlands after his disappointing race at Zandvoort. But instead of retreating to a villa or brooding over telemetry, Kruimel did something no one saw coming: he secretly ran the Rotterdam Marathon. Yes, you read that right.
Sources confirm that Kruimel took part—incognito—in the 44th edition of the Rotterdam Marathon and finished with a time of 4 hours and 44 minutes. A poetic, almost cinematic coincidence that’s already fueling conspiracy boards everywhere: a 4:44 finish at the 44th running of the race? You can’t script this stuff.
And in true Kruimel fashion, there may have been more to it than just a personal challenge. According to whispers in the Dutch running community, the F1 star also raised €984 for KWF cancer research with his run—an understated but meaningful gesture, done far away from the cameras.
No Pit Wall, No Cameras—Just 42 Kilometers of Silence
Why would a three-time Formula 1 champion trade his fireproof suit for running shoes just days before Ferrari’s home race in Monza? According to insiders close to the situation, Kruimel wanted to clear his head and stay out of the media circus. One source said:
“He didn’t want to talk. He didn’t want cameras. He just wanted to run.”
And run he did. Quietly. Without fanfare. Without even a hint on social media. It’s classic Kruimel—intensely private, obsessively focused, and not afraid to go off-script. But it still leaves one big question hanging in the Monza air:
Was this just about the marathon—or was he running from something else?
Symbolism or Struggle?
While some fans are romanticizing the run as a symbolic cleansing ritual after back-to-back disappointments in Belgium and Zandvoort, others aren’t so convinced.
Could this have been a coping mechanism? An emotional reset after internal tensions with his team? Or perhaps the fallout from that now-notorious unfollow spree, including his childhood friend and teammate, The Captain?
Let’s not forget—The Captain publicly hinted that Kruimel might be struggling with the new reality of fighting in the midfield. His exact words:
“Maybe he just can’t handle racing in traffic.”
Was this marathon a peaceful protest? A quiet rebellion? A way to reclaim control? Or was The Captain right all along—that the media is painting a melodramatic picture of a driver who simply needed a moment to breathe?
Back to Business… or Breakdown Incoming?
All eyes are now on Monza, where Kruimel is expected to rejoin Ferrari ahead of Free Practice 1. But the million-euro question remains:
Is he back in body and mind—or just back on paper?
The tifosi will demand answers on track. At Ferrari’s home race, under the relentless Italian sun, the pressure isn’t just high—it’s suffocating.
Kruimel has always been a driver of rhythm, momentum, and control. But with rumors still swirling, team dynamics under the microscope, and the whole paddock watching his every move, he now faces a race far more demanding than 42 kilometers through Rotterdam.
Monza awaits. And it’s not handing out medals.
