Max Verstappen shares hilarious reason why his cat was not named after his race engineer ‘GP’ (Exclusive)

Max Verstappen has revealed that his decision not to name his cat after his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, was largely influenced by Penelope Kyat, his partner’s daughter. Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda in Abu Dhabi, the Red Bull champion shed light on the playful disappointment expressed by Lambiase over the unconventional naming choice.

In Las Vegas, Lambiase humorously voiced his dismay after discovering that Verstappen had named his cat Donatello instead of honoring him. The Dutchman explained that while the thought had crossed his mind, Penelope played a key role in the decision. Ultimately, he felt that Lambiase’s name was too long and complex for a pet. With a smile, Verstappen shared the lighthearted story, emphasizing the balance he strikes between his personal and professional life—even when it comes to naming his beloved pets.

When told by Sportskeeda that the interview would start by talking about GP and his cats, Verstappen joked:

“Cats and GP, I love that. Yeah, that's great. Yeah, they're all the same. If they would have been big enough, they’d want to kill you.”

Speaking to Sky Sports about Max Verstappen and his new cat, Lambiase said:

“I'm a little bit disappointed. I think he just grabbed a new cat and he was saying he was going to call it GP but he has called it Donatello or something stupid like that.”

Asked about the reason behind Lambiase’s disappointment, Verstappen said:

“Yeah, because Penelope, I asked her, what do you think of the name? She really did not want to call a cat GP, so we had to go for a different name.”

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Max Verstappen claims to be a dog person but will not parade one in the paddock

Max Verstappen acknowledged that while he is a dog person at heart, his lifestyle and constant travel have made cats a more practical choice as pets. Asked why he was fond of cats more than dogs, he said:

“I am a dog person. I grew up with dogs and cats, just that cats are a bit more self-sufficient at home, you know, and when I'm traveling a lot to take care of a dog, it's like a child. So it's a bit more difficult.”

Unlike fellow drivers Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, or Charles Leclerc, Verstappen has no plans to bring a dog into the F1 paddock, even if he were to own one. With his characteristic practicality, he emphasized that his focus remains on ensuring his pets are well cared for, even if it means choosing the quieter companionship of cats over the spotlight that dogs often attract:

“No, even if I would have a dog, I wouldn't want the dog to come here because it's very stressful. Everyone wanting to touch him, it's not nice for a dog”

Verstappen is the proud owner of three cats: Jimmy, Sassy, and Donatella. Jimmy and Sassy, both Bengal cats, owe their unique names to two popular nightclubs in Monaco—Jimmy’z and Sass Café—a nod to his sense of humor and his life in the glamorous principality. Known for his love of Bengal and Persian breeds, the four-time world champion has previously shared his fondness for these elegant and distinctive felines.

When not dominating on the racetrack, Verstappen often paints a vivid picture of the lively chaos his furry companions bring to his home in Monaco. For someone with such a high-octane lifestyle, his domestic downtime is filled with the playful antics of his cats, adding a touch of warmth and humor to his otherwise fiercely competitive world.