Max Verstappen: ‘If you know everything in advance, it would be boring’
Published on January 19, 2025 by Florence Cobben
As Max Verstappen prepares for his first participation in the virtual 24 Hours of Daytona, teaming up with Redline on Twitch, he takes the time to answer a few questions from his fans.
Max, how did you discover your passion for flying?
“When I was young, my father was still in F1 and I naturally accompanied him during testing days and races. I remember I was in Malaysia with my mother and father. These memories remain engraved in the memory,” explains Max. “My dad also had a karting team at the time, so I saw a lot of racing. I really wanted to start karting, and that’s when I decided: ‘Yes, I want to drive myself.’ Initially, I wasn’t planning to be a Formula 1 driver, it was more: ‘I want to be a karting driver and have fun’. Then, over the years, seeing the serious side of karting, I became interested in what I could achieve, and Formula 1 became the goal. So, everything happened gradually, and it was at the age of 8 or 9 that we started to consider Formula 1.”
What are the differences between sim racing and real car racing?
Max: “The biggest difference is of course the G-forces. Everything you feel in a real car, like acceleration, braking and cornering, you don’t feel in sim racing. Especially at home, on a static simulator, where all these movements are slower. But if you want to try to reproduce a little of what you feel in real life, you can invest in a simulator with movement. Other than that, I think the way of working on setup and strategies is quite similar. As we see at this race, it’s raining, so you have to make the right choice regarding tires. It’s exactly the same thing in reality. For me, I’d say it’s 90 or 95 percent similar.”
You’ve had many helmet designs over the years. Which one is your favorite?
“Well, the one I grew up racing, and I think the one I rode last year is one of my favorites as well. It will be similar this year, slightly different, but it’s just my own design. Rather basic, I returned to a more traditional style, which I appreciate more.”
-You have participated in 209 Grands Prix. What is your favorite race of your career?
“It’s difficult to choose. First of all, I don’t remember them all,” confides Max, “but I think my first victory was very emotional. At the same time, winning your first championship are incredibly important moments, so it has to be one of my favorite races. But aside from that, winning a race with a lead of around 30 seconds, as was the case in Hungary, for example, or in Austria… When everything goes perfectly all weekend, it’s also very pleasant. And of course we must not forget Brazil, because that has been of huge importance at this stage of the season.”
How do you handle pressure in a close race where you have a competitor right behind you?
“I think experience is an asset in these moments, because obviously we have all these types of situations from karting, where you defend your position on the last lap, and the pressure is the same, because we want to win. In the end, you have to have confidence in your abilities and know what to do. I practiced a lot when I was a kid, with my dad, my teammates and my friends in these kinds of situations.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
“Honestly, I wouldn’t give any advice,” Max admits, “because ultimately you have to make mistakes in life. Sometimes you need to learn on your own. If we knew everything in advance, I think it would be very boring. In the end, once you have had an experience, that’s when you can consider changes or learn from it.”
Related News :