F1 Today: Verstappen enjoys big financial boost as Russell sits out in Mexico

Max Verstappen has climbed further up the rankings of the wealthiest people in the Netherlands, with his estimated fortune reaching €310 million in 2026. According to the latest edition of the Quote 500, published on Tuesday, 27 October, the four-time Formula 1 world champion has seen his wealth increase by €50 million over the past year. The Red Bull driver now occupies 224th place on the list, having ranked 264th in 2025 with an estimated net worth of €260 million.

The 29-year-old remains the youngest person among the 500 richest Dutch people, as well as the highest-ranked athlete in the country. His wealth comes from his Formula 1 career, commercial partnerships and activities outside the championship.

This year's Quote 500 required a minimum estimated fortune of €140 million to qualify, while the combined wealth of those featured exceeded €300 billion for the first time. Crypto billionaire Jean-Louis van der Velde topped the rankings with an estimated €26 billion, ahead of Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken and Ralph Sonnenberg.

George Russell will miss the opening free practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix, with Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti taking over his W17 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Friday.

The decision forms part of Formula 1's mandatory rookie practice requirements, which oblige regular drivers to hand over their cars to inexperienced drivers twice during the season. Vesti has already completed two FP1 appearances in 2026, replacing Kimi Antonelli in Barcelona and Hungary, meaning Russell will also have to surrender his seat once more before the end of the campaign.

The change comes as Russell finds himself involved in a particularly close battle for second place in the drivers' championship. With Kimi Antonelli just two points away from securing his maiden world title, only nine points separate Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in the fight for the runner-up position.

The Mercedes driver currently holds second place with 242 points, just one ahead of Hamilton, although he recently made clear that winning the constructors' championship remains his main priority rather than his individual finishing position.