© Getty ImagesMax’s Top Tips To Get Into RacingDo you want to become a racing driver? Max shares five things which might help you kick start your career.
In2001theRedBullJuniorTeamwascreatedandsincethattimeithasproducedahostoftalentwhohavegoneontodriveinFormulaOne.Currently,sixofthe20driversonthe2021gridhavebeenapartoftheprogramme.
Max joined it in 2014 after testing a Formula Renault 3.5 and later that year went on to take part in the first free practice at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso. In 2015 he got his first F1 drive with Toro Rosso and the rest is history.
However, until Max reached that point in his career he’d had to climb through the ranks in karting and nobody becomes a world champion contender without some world-class advice and top-quality people surrounding them.
So, if you’re looking to become the next Max Verstappen, what do you need to know to get started? Well, who better to tell you than the Dutchman himself?
We sat down with our number 33 and asked him for his five top tips for those aiming to start a career as a racing driver.
Max Looking Ahead To The Future© Vladimir Rys
1. SurroundYourselfWithGoodPeople
“You need to find a good team that can help you out from the start,” explains Max. “That’s because if you don’t know much about the sport and you’re aiming to do it on your own, you’ll never learn. It’s the same for any sport in that sense, you need to learn from those who have the best knowledge.”
Max goes on to say: “I would start with going to your local kart team and talking to them. You’re going to need people to help you with several things, such as a mechanic who can work on your kart. And, of course, a coach to give you the basic tips of how to drive – they will guide you from the start. I was lucky when I started, I had my dad by my side right away, so I had a good schooling from day one.”
Max And His Dad Side By Side© Richard de Klerk
Max is a keen believer in learning your trade and taking time to hone your craft. And don’t move up through the classes too soon.
“People wanting to race competitively should start locally and then move up to their national series, especially if they are young. We’re talking around the age of six,” says Max. “When you’re trying to race for the first time you should do that for a few seasons and not go out of your depth. I think I raced national until I was 11 or 12, before going international. You learn the basics, the tracks, and you have your own competition.”
Max Crafting His Trade In Karting© Richard de Klerk
3. YouDon’tNecessarilyNeedYourOwnKit
Max explains that the way he and his dad, Jos, used to travel around the country or even Europe wasn’t the way most young drivers do it.
“When I was racing at a national level, I raced mainly in Belgium, Netherlands, a little bit in France and Germany, but we did everything in a van,” says Max. “If you don’t have the equipment yourself then the team will do it for you, and you travel with them to the race. That’s how it’s normally done, but it does cost money though. Which again is why it’s so important to surround yourself with good people.”
4. Don’tRushToInternationalLevel
“A lot of people are always keen to move up to the next level. And as a driver, it’s up to you, but I wouldn’t have moved to international karting if I wasn’t ready,” says Max.
Max believes that the international karting scene is where you really learn your trade and should be willing to spend a few years there. “International karting is where you prepare all the basics before you jump in a racing car. You learn about gears and a clutch, in both the dry and the wet. You also learn race craft, you begin to understand racing – and, you’ll be driving against factory team drivers, guys in their 20s.
“Staying an extra year in karting is good before moving to single seaters. It’s good to race against those people for a while, because you gain a lot of experience from them quickly. Once you’re comfortable with that and progressing well, then it’s time to take the next step.”
Max With Podium Finish In Karting© Chris Walker
5. You’reGoingToNeedFunding
Max’s last tip won’t come as a surprise and that is you’re going to need funding. “Being in the right team is the most important thing, but if it’s a factory team or a private team, you’re still going to need a good amount of money. Without funding, sadly it’s nearly impossible to progress.
“Even in karting it’s expensive, if you don’t have funding, you’re going to be very limited. So, try and save some money or get someone to help, it’ll be hard, but you’ll need this to progress in the sport.” Max concludes.
There you have it, some great guidance on how you can try to progress through the ranks for motorsport, right from the Dutchman himself. Now all you need to do is get out there and give it a go! Who knows, maybe you’ll be racing with Max someday in the future.
