Get To Know Max Verstappen

Get To Know Your Driver: Max Verstappen

Think you know the Dutchman? You ain’t seen nothing yet…

Max On Track During Sunset In Barcelona

We’re quite sure you know that Max was the youngest driver to compete in Formula One, that he’s the youngest to lead a race and also the youngest race winner. You probably also know that Spa is his favourite circuit. But, do you know the name of his best friends and what his favourite sport is outside of Formula One?

We thought not, so we sat Max down and asked him some simple questions to get to know him better – some of which might surprise you…

Hi Max, let’s start with an easy one, what’s your full name and how old are you?

My name is Max Emilian Verstappen and it says 22 in my passport (laughs).

When did you start racing?

I was four-and-a-half when I started karting and I began racing single seaters in 2014 in Formula Three.

How many Instagram followers have you got?

Hmm, I need to check my phone. 2.8 million apparently but I don’t really follow the numbers.

What is your favourite country?

I guess I have to say Holland right? There are so many amazing countries though that I can’t really say one as I haven’t visited them all. Maybe one day I will give you a better answer!

What is your favourite meal?

Carpaccio and tomato soup.

In one word, how would you describe yourself?

Passionate.

In one word again, what’s your worst characteristic?

Laziness.

What’s your biggest fear?

Sharks I guess is pretty high up there!

What’s your favourite sport away from F1?

Moto GP

Max Smiles During His Zandvoort Outing

How honest are you?

Very. Well, I’m very straightforward and maybe some people say too honest at times but that’s just how I am

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

I don’t know yet, I’m still looking for it.

How often do you get recognised in public?

Hmm, probably too many times in some places. The fans are amazing but at home in Holland it can be tricky doing normal things.

What hobbies do you have?

Sim racing, Jet skis, quad bikes and motorbikes.

How often do you talk to your family?

Every day, I speak to my dad the most because he is still very involved in my racing as well. But we discuss a lot of things and he’s a good support.

Who are your best friends and how often do you get to hang around with them?

Stan and Jorrit I would say, and we hang out as much as I can to be honest in between races. Although of course sometimes when it is really busy and close to the end of the season, we don’t get to see each other that much. But then after the season we always meet up.

How many races have you done in F1 now?

Hmm, good question. I’ve done 102.

How has it changed from race 1 to race 102?

It’s way more relaxed in some ways, you just know much more, what you want, when you want it and what you need to do. Everything is a lot more planned as well.

Max Gets Sprayed With Champagne In Austin

Where are you looking forward to returning to?

Austin. It’s a great city and track.

Where was your first F1 race?

That was the easiest to remember because it was also my first victory [2016 Spanish Grand Prix]. It was a very special, a simply lovely day. I was out there to enjoy myself because it was my first race with Red Bull, so there wasn’t much pressure from the Team. They just said: “Try and score some points,” and we did, we scored 25 points. Hahaha, that’s always good, I guess and it was amazing to see the reaction from everyone in the Team as nobody, including me expected it.

Has there been a race that has topped that or will that always be your favourite?

That one will always be the most special because it was the first race with the Team and my first win. All of us drivers have dreamed of winning in F1 so that was an amazing day.

What has been your best race?

I don’t know, to be honest it is difficult to say the best race and maybe I will let other people judge that. Luckily, I think I have more good ones than bad ones so far and that’s the way I want it to stay.

What is your worst race?

Monaco, quite a few times – quite easy to pick out. 2018 was not nice because we should have been first and second. I messed up in qualifying and then the whole race I was passing people and getting back into the points. It feels like a bit of a waste of time because you can’t overtake that easily there. I got to P9 and then that was it. For me it just felt horrible. I was not enjoying it at all because we knew a podium should have been easy with our car. We were so much faster and I had to start last and try and get through the field which is fun if you think you can make it back to the front but in Monaco it’s almost impossible.

What has been the biggest highlight of your career

I think it still has to come.

What is your main goal as a driver?

Winning the Championship. That’s the important one now.

When do think you will win the Championship?

The aim is this year and it has to be the aim at the start of every year. . That’s what we are working on as a Team but it’s not going to be easy. We are giving it everything we have that’s for sure.

Max Claims His Third Win Of The Season In Brazil

How often do you think about winning the Championship?

Not too much, but quite quickly after testing and after the first few races, you know whether it’s going to be possible to fight for it or not. So, I just stay very relaxed and we’ll wait and see when the season has started. We won’t give up as this has to be our goal or we may as well stay at home..

What advice would you give younger Max now?

Honestly, just ‘don’t worry’, ‘don’t give up’ and ‘don’t worry about what other people say’. You have to believe in yourself and work as hard as you can. People sometimes say I’m arrogant but they just mistake how much I want to win and that I believe in myself for that. I’m really a very straight forward guy. Of course, there have been moments when I’ve been like “Do I really want to do this? Does it need to be like this?” So yeah, just don’t worry, everything will be fine if you know what you want.

What do you want to achieve this year?

To win more races and fight for the World Championship with Red Bull.