Neymar hands Santos shirt to Max Verstappen at 2026 São Paulo GP paddock By Luís Henrique Costa
2 min read
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Max Verstappen received an official Santos shirt from Neymar on 8 November 2026 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, in São Paulo. The Santos striker went to the paddock before the start of the São Paulo Formula 1 Grand Prix and handed the jersey to the four-time world champion from Red Bull Racing.
Images from the official broadcast showed the two men talking in the area reserved for the Austrian team. The moment drew attention behind the scenes at the circuit, shortly before the track procedures began.
Corinthians striker Memphis Depay also visits the Red Bull boxes
Football players were not the only visitors to the paddock. Memphis Depay, a starter and number 10 for Corinthians, also went to the team’s garages to speak directly with the driver.
Depay and Verstappen share the same nationality and exchanged impressions in the paddock. The Red Bull driver often follows football matches in Europe and in South America.
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Verstappen’s ties to PSV Eindhoven and Vasco da Gama
Verstappen has already publicly shown interest in football competitions. In Europe, he follows the performance of PSV Eindhoven, a traditional club in his home country.
In Brazilian football, the driver has a liking for Vasco da Gama. The shirt given by the Santos striker strengthens his links with Brazilian clubs during the category’s annual stop in São Paulo.
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On the official starting grid, Rafael Câmara, of Haas F1 Team, is 11th and Gabriel Bortoleto, of Audi, is 19th. Verstappen, of Red Bull Racing, is listed 21st.
Neymar’s contract with Santos runs until 31 December 2026, and a renewal is expected to be discussed after the club’s presidential election on 12 December. Asked about staying, he joked that he already had “a lot of contract with Red Bull.”
