Formula One drivers gathered for dinner in Abu Dhabi following the final Grand Prix of the season

Max Verstappen was nowhere to be seen Credit: Splash

But this year’s meal had a number of notable absentees including world champion Verstappen.

Only 11 of this year’s drivers posed for a picture in the restaurant with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo all present.

While McLaren stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were with the group, but missed out on the snap around the table.

And despite seven drivers including Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso missing the dinner, it’s Verstappen’s no-show that will cause the biggest stir.

As the world champion he is on the unfortunate end of an unwritten rule that means he should be the one footing the bill.

Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg previously took to social media to let fans know about the secret ruling, saying: “The hidden agreement usually is that the world champion pays.”

Although that wasn’t the case at last year’s dinner when Verstappen got away with not paying once again.

Instead it was Hamilton that laid down his credit card despite the Dutchman being the champ in 2022.

And there were no missing drivers that year as they all gathered to say goodbye to the retiring Sebastian Vettel after his last season on the grid.

It was a rare occasion to see all 20 drivers in the same place as Pierre Gasly revealed on the Beyond The Grid podcast.

Driver’s annual dinner prior to the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP where Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso were present (via F1).

He said: “I’ll remember that moment forever. It was the first time in five years we all got together.

“That’s what made it so authentic, and that’s probably one of the very few times you’ve seen the real side of people and drivers.

“You’ve always got closer relationships with certain drivers, but it’s almost like on that dinner, from the moment we closed the door, we all took our cap off our heads, and we’re like, ‘Okay, now, it’s just you get whatever you see.'”

the abu dhabi dinner for the second time in a row! pic.twitter.com/4Q2OzNEMv4

— sin ⁴⁴ (@44britcedes) November 26, 2023

As world champion Verstappen was expected to pay for the dinner Credit: Alamy