Monaco Grand Prix: Max Verstappen steers clear of casinos as he looks to win big in Monte Carlo
Dutch speedster is known as a gambler on the track but will swap the roulette wheels for his steering wheel
MAX VERSTAPPEN is looking to win big in Monte Carlo this weekend - but it won't be in the principality's famous casino.
While the well-heeled flitter away fortunes on the roulette wheel, Verstappen will be keeping his euros safely tucked in his pocket.
Now in his fourth season in F1, he has rapidly built up a reputation as a future world champion.
His swashbuckling racing style has rattled the cages of four-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel and won him plenty of support across the globe.
So, it's worth remembering the fact that he is still only 20 years old and would rather spend time playing on his PlayStation than enjoying spending his money.
Sat in Red Bull's three-story motorhome, complete with a swimming pool for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, he is in relaxed mood ahead of his home race.
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He said: "I don't like gambling. I think it's stupid. You go to a casino to lose money. A couple of people win, but they are exceptions.
"I'd rather buy something than losing it betting. You're better throwing your money in the sea.
"I have been to the casino, though. I won 300 Euros and I'm never going to go back again!"
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Like his Red Bull team-mate, Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen lives in Monte Carlo and has a flat overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Downstairs in his garage he has a £200,000 Porsche 911 GT3RS, not that he uses it much in Monaco.
He added: "I never really drive with my car around here. I'm either walking or on my scooter.
"Look, it's too busy for the car and to be honest when you want to pick up something it's better to do it by scooter.
"For me, this race is just like any other. Of course I like to race. It's always cool to drive through the streets and be on the limit and to be so close to the walls.
"But I try to keep the same routine. You're just not sleeping in a hotel. But for me that's the only difference."
IN GREAT NIC
NICO ROSBERG claims Lewis Hamilton is still the No1 driver in F1.
The former Mercedes team-mates had an explosive relationship as they battled for the title between 2014 and 2016.
They collided on numerous occasions and were frequently warned about their behaviour by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
But Rosberg, who stunned the sport by retiring in 2016 after winning the title, admits the Brit is the best driver on the grid.
He said: "If I look at Barcelona, I saw the best Lewis I have ever seen. If I was a team boss and I had to pick a driver, I would take Lewis.
"It is tough to know who to pair him with. Valtteri Bottas is working great and if you put Daniel Ricciardo next to Lewis, I don't know if that will be so straightforward.
"I know from experience that there can be complications!"
On Thursday, Rosberg drove two laps around Monaco in his title winning Mercedes while his father Keke, also took part in the demo run.
But the 32-year-old says he has no plans to get back behind the wheel in F1.
He added: "I am having a really great time since retiring. It has been a nice transition and I am happy with the way things have gone and the decisions I have taken, because you never know.
"But I can look at it now and I am very happy with life.
"There is no way back to F1. For me that is it. I enjoyed driving two laps, it was really nice, but that's it."
Verstappen had to settle for second-place in both practice sessions on Thursday, as his teammate Ricciardo took the top spot.
The Aussie smashed the track record, twice, as Red Bull showed their speed around the streets.
Ricciardo, who is out of contract at the end of the season, feels he is owed his maiden win here after the disappointment of 2016.
Leading the race and looking comfortable, he came in for a pitstop only to find his mechanics were not ready.
He sat waiting for them to change his tyres, costing him time and demoting him to second place behind Hamilton.
He said: "Do I feel like I am owed a win here? Yes, but I have to go and earn it. It is not going to happen without me putting the effort in.
"If I put the effort in, then maybe some circumstances will help me out. But for sure I still have to be prepared to win.
"It is no secret that we are always pretty good around here. We weren't good enough last year but for sure previous years we have been. I'd be surprised if we weren't at least close."