Max appreciates criticism: “Only makes me stronger”

Published on 07 June 2016 by Stefan Meens

The Family Racing Days at Circuit Park Zandvoort were a success. Not in the least because of its main attraction: Max Verstappen. The Dutchman entertained the crowd by lapping the circuit in the dunes in a Red Bull Racing F1 car and burning some rubber along the way. Despite being highly in demand for on track action, autographs and media coverage, the 18-year-old found some time to chat to Verstappen.nl.

When you were a bit younger, your dad used to take you along to the F1-paddock. Has it changed much since those days? “It felt like a playground when I was young. I didn’t really get that it was Formula 1 and it was an important thing. However, things have become more professional. Teams used to arrive at the circuits with two busses. Now there are four or five trucks. And that’s without the Red Bull Energy Station.”

Your switch from Scuderia Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing meant you joined a bigger, more professional team. Does that dampen the fun? “Absolutely not, there’s a lot of fun here. The British have a great sense of humour, which I like. In every way they are a bit more advanced compared to Toro Rosso, which makes sense if you want to be a front running team.”

Formula 1 is a demanding sport, so you have to be fit. How do you keep fit during the season? “We can’t train by driving F1 cars, because the regulations restrict testing in an attempt to save costs. That’s why I’ll go to the gym as well as doing plenty of outdoor activities; it really depends where I am. Most of my training is actually done during the winter months. During the season I try to maintain the fitness achieved in winter. In terms of the exercise I do, it’s mainly body weight and elastic band exercises;  using weights will make me bulk too much.”

So what is your current weight? “I’m around 69-70 kilograms. But luckily our car is light enough that they have to add a bit of weight to reach the minimum weight. At Toro Rosso, that was a bit more tricky as their car was a bit heavier. So at Red Bull we are able to play around with the weight a bit more. It helps us sort out the balance of car. That’s why it’s important to build a car that’s as light as possible.”

Your dad did a demonstration in a Minardi two-seater Formula 1 car. Would you be a passenger if he drove? “No. I trust him, but I don’t really feel the need to join him. I prefer to drive myself instead of sitting in the back. That’s why I would be pretty reluctant to get in the car with a colleague. Of course they know how to drive, but there’s always a risk. So I prefer to drive myself.”

Monaco was tough weekend after a triumphant Spanish Grand Prix. How did the team react? “Of course there was a bit of criticism but I think it’s good to share criticism. In the end it just makes me better. If they only say ‘It happens’ than I won’t learn a thing.”

Looking ahead to the next race, the Canadian Grand Prix, what do you expect? “There are definitely opportunities for us. Mercedes is still too strong, but we should be able to beat the Ferraris so I’m racing for a podium.”