Max Verstappen talked about many things during Viaplay’s An Evening with Max Verstappen, where he spoke about topics he hadn’t discussed before during regular race weekends. From his daughter Lily, to the Toppers and of course sim racing. Below is a small selection from the evening with questions asked by Amber Brantsen, Frank Evenblij, Koen Weijland, and even the youngest fans to Max Verstappen.
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Between his preparations for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, Max Verstappen traveled to Amsterdam to look back not only on his racing memories in Viaplay’s An Evening with Max Verstappen in a packed theater. The atmosphere is good from the first moment in Theater Amsterdam: “They haven’t forgotten me after a few weeks,” jokes the world champion immediately.
Furthermore, Verstappen is asked during a simulator session – about what else, the Nordschleife – about the painter behind the Mona Lisa. “No idea,” says the driver, who is then informed it was Leonardo Da Vinci. “That’s pretty bad, I must say.” The Dutch world champion receives questions all evening that he had not been asked before during press moments in Formula 1. Below is a small selection.
What was your first experience in a Formula car like?
“I was driving among the sheep. On the first day, there was a lot of rain, but that was actually nice. The Michelin tires gave a lot of confidence and a safe feeling. Slicks are more direct and when they are cold you have to build confidence with them. The second day it was dry, and then I did mow the grass for a bit.”
Then in 2014 you drove for Red Bull, how did that come about?
“I didn’t just have the chance to drive for Red Bull at that moment, but that team gave me the best deal, namely a seat in Formula 1. And you don’t get that chance right away. You don’t know if you’ll ever get that chance again, so you have to go for it. We made that choice, but fortunately it worked out well. But it is also a risk.”
What role did your parents play in your early years?
“Without my father, I wouldn’t have made it to Formula 1. Absolutely not. The things he taught me from a young age. What I always liked was that when I came home, I could just talk about motorsport. My mother also helps me mentally. Sometimes I am straightforward and negative. She helps me then. It’s nice to get input from both sides. My mother is just a very good person.”
What do you like to cook most when you are at home?
“I can’t cook, I never learned. It never tastes as good as in a restaurant.”
Back to 2016: you saw two silver cars crash into each other in Barcelona, did you expect to win then?
“I only thought: that’s a bonus. That whole weekend was about learning and scoring points, so I thought maybe there was a podium in it at that moment. But you are still racing against other drivers. I also had Kimi Räikkönen behind me. And then I got cramps. I was nervous and couldn’t afford mistakes, because we weren’t fast on the straights. Yes, so you get a bit tense.”
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A fifth world title or winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
“Fifth world title. I feel like I can still win Le Mans when I’m older. This season the world title won’t come. However, you can still participate in Le Mans until you’re 45.”
An evening in the theater naturally includes a theatrical entrance for Max Verstappen (Photo: Rachel Ecclestone)
Have you become more fearful about racing since becoming a father?
“No, I haven’t become more fearful about racing. You can’t approach it like that in Formula 1. During a Grand Prix weekend, you want to get home as quickly as possible and arrive as late as possible. You try to take that into account, but in the car you approach it the same as before. You stay driven and if you can’t do that anymore, then you have to stop.”
With whom have you had the most fun race battles without wanting to do anything to them afterwards?
“With Daniel (Ricciardo, ed.) as a teammate I had fun battles. And I never wanted to do anything to him afterwards.”
What would you have wanted to do if you weren’t a racing driver?
“I also really like MotoGP. When I was little I also raced on those small mini bikes, but I quickly realized I had more talent on four wheels than on two. Maybe I would have become a steward or something, haha. No, I don’t think so. No idea, but always something with motorsport.”
About his padel skills
“I am a clumsy padel player. I always go straight through the glass. If you are good, you sweat less. So in Formula 1 I sweat less, yes. Especially with these cars.”
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Photos/credits: Rachel Ecclestone
An Evening with Max Verstappen is shown Friday evening at 8:00 PM on Viaplay.
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