F1 News: Max Verstappen Speaks Candidly On Journey To Formula One With Jos Verstappen

Max Verstappen speaks out on his journey to Formula One.

Max Verstappen revealed that his journey into motorsport was not always driven by a personal desire, diverging from his father and former F1 driver, Jos Verstappen’s, fervent passion for racing. 

Key Takeaways:

• Despite his father’s intense devotion to motorsport, a young Max Verstappen did not always harbour a definitive ambition towards becoming an F1 driver, navigating through both enforced expectations and a naturally evolving affinity towards racing.
• Verstappen emphasises the pivotal role of intrinsic passion, a sentiment that, while might be initially shadowed by parental desires, ultimately needs to emanate from within to sustain a genuine and long-term career in the rigorously demanding world of Formula 1.

“When I was four years old I didn’t know that I wanted to be a Formula 1 driver, it was just enjoying driving and having fun. At one point I think you find your passion and then it’s about your parents of course supporting you but not pushing you to do it, because otherwise it will catch up to you.

"You will do it for a few years because your parents like you to do it, but if it’s not your real passion at one point it will come out,” Verstappen shared during the

Red Bull, Mind Set Win podcast.

Verstappen’s revelations provide a rare glimpse into the personal and psychological intricacies behind the glamour and high-stakes environment of F1. The Dutch driver expressed a balanced viewpoint towards the sport that is both his career and a substantial part of his life, asserting:

“F1 is of course a big part of my life but it’s not everything. I don’t need to be constantly thinking about it to perform. I know when to switch back on and when to switch off.”

This notably placid approach towards racing, a stark contrast to his father's methodology, has not only shaped Verstappen’s career but also his mental framework in handling the encompassing pressures and expectations within F1. 

“Back in the day, I had quite a few arguments with my dad about it. He felt that I was too relaxed about it. He wanted me to be more on top of things.

"I think I learned a lot from having the conversations with him, but I’m still pretty much the same. I think my dad is more hyped up [in the lead up to a grand prix] than I am,” he disclosed.