Max catches up: “You can celebrate without partying”

Published on 02 August 2015 by Stefan Meens

Verstappen.nl caught up with with Max Verstappen during a demonstration weekend at the Dutch Assen circuit. As always, the interest in the Dutchman is nothing short of overwhelming. It is a situation the youngster has encountered ever since he became a Formula 1 driver, both at home and abroad. “I'm more and more getting used to it. But it's great. The better I do on track, the more people pay attention to me off the track.”

Despite Formula 1 having a summer break, Max has a busy schedule. “I'm very, very busy. I've travelled a lot the past week. On Wednesay I was in the simulator at Milton Keynes and on Thursday we had a Scuderia Toro Rosso filmday. Friday night I arrived home fairly late and the next two days it's Assen.”

Nevertheless, Max enjoys his job as a Formula 1 driver and after ten out of nineteen Grands Prix, he is pleased with the season so far. “Especially the last race in Hungary was a boost, it makes it all the more special. In general I think that we've done a great job. I managed to pull of some good overtakes, we kept on learning and improving which is all positive.”

Regarding his fourth place in Hungary he adds: “At first I couldn’t believe it. I was happy and we didn’t really expect the result”, says Max. “You should never give up and be at the right place when other drivers make mistakes. That worked out perfectly in Hungary.”

Despite his career best in only his first season in Formula 1, Max did not celebrate his win too much. “After the race we didn’t party, but we went straight home. Yes, P4 is a great result but there's no need to go party straight away. You can celebrate without partying.”

His excellent race at the Hungaroring did not go unnoticed. “I received so many positive responses via Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It's amazing to see how involved people are.”

Despite his busy schedule, even during F1's summer break, Max is planning some time away from the hectic life as a Formula 1 driver. “I'm going on holiday with my family for a week and a half, somewhere sunny. I going to get some rest after that busy first half of the year and for the remaining races coming up. However, it's important I still keep training. My trainer gave me a schedule for that. Also, as soon as I come back from holiday, the preparations for the Belgium Grand Prix start.”

Spa-Francorchamps might be Max' home race but it is difficult to predict his chances. “I haven't driven there in F1 so I can tell you more after the first free practice sessions. But we have to be realistic. The results won't be the same to Hungary. It will be difficult to score points on my home track with all its long straights that don’t really suit us.”

Nevertheless, Max remains ambitious for the remainder of the season. “I'll try to score as many points as possible. Singapore should give us a decent chance for points. But on all the tracks with long straights such as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Sochi, it will be difficult. But I will always give it my all to score points.”

Finally, Max comments on some media rumours regarding his driving license. “I don't really have time for driving lessons. If I take them it will be after August but definitely not now."