The race itself on Sunday wasn’t as exciting as many expected, but the tale of Alex Albon and George Russell having dinner afterward brought back some warmth and common ground. When a sport is largely about strategy and business, it’s the unique stories from racers that help the fans stay hooked.

There’s an attractive quality when a Formula 1 driver admits to a bad day on the track and does so with a good sense of humor and humility. Albon could have simply blamed someone else, tried to downplay the mistake or just didn’t respond to Russell. Rather, he accepted the situation, accepted his place in Russell’s situation and made it all okay afterwards with a friendly dinner that became mentioned by everyone over the weekend.

When most elite athletes seem more polished after media training, Albon’s response felt like the real him. It wasn’t meant to impress fans or boost their image—it was two friends sharing good food, laughing and showing fans what they do. At times like this, drivers appear more than just drivers; we remember they are people with lives, stories and, of course, a sense of humor.

Mercedes wanted to use the Monaco weekend to highlight George Russell’s excellent performances as he moved forward in the team. Albon was ahead of him, so he missed out on passing opportunities each lap. Yet, to be fair, he didn’t complain. He made a joke, went with the flow and finished the evening by enjoying dinner on his friend’s dime.

We’ve seen drivers support each other in similar ways in the past. Despite the intense competition, the group of drivers who’ve spent years racing together in junior categories have a very strong community. Along with Albon and Russell, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have all progressed through the same system.

The tale of the dinner explains an important truth about Formula 1 today. Sport is developing in more ways than technology and rules; it’s changing how it communicates its stories. Many fans are more interested in who the drivers are after watching series like Netflix’s Drive to Survive. Fans are curious about what’s on the menu when drivers sit down to dinner, how they sort out arguments and the jokes they make when they’re tired after a session at the track. These days, it’s more about entertainment than about strictly racing.

Since growth matters such moments have a strong impact. People felt this year’s race was boring, but a humble dinner created a far more intriguing event than the events on the track. Fans didn’t just hear about the race results—they got a story packed with laughter and excitement and a description of the amazing meal. That’s why it’s good for Formula 1 to be looser and more straight-forward.

The wider talks about updating the Monaco Grand Prix have not yet been settled. The approach of two halts was really something new, but it failed to meet expectations. Both Albon and Russell have pointed out that the idea was good, but it didn’t work as it should have. It will take more than changes in the rules to have a true impact at Monaco, considering how much legend is tied to this historic circuit.

But even as the leaders of Monaco think about the tournament’s future, fans will be remembering something else from this event. Instead of talking about the race or speed, I’ll tell you about my two friends, a relaxing day in Monaco and a pricey lobster meal.

During a time marked by stress, politics and tension, the humorous moments between teams add something special. Formula 1 often peaks our interest in more ways than just the speed and these teams make that clear.

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