It is well known that Max Verstappen has a great passion for everything related to motorsport. It is no coincidence that he participated in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this month. However, his love for sports goes beyond just racing; Verstappen will also closely follow the World Cup in North America. During the Canadian GP, he already shared his most beautiful – and most painful – memories of the World Cup.
Read more Jacques Villeneuve warns Antonelli against arrogance: ‘You are not untouchable’
“My first memories are from the 2006 World Cup,” Verstappen told the media in Montreal. “I don’t know exactly why, but the semi-final between Italy and Germany is still very clear in my mind. Italy scored the winning goals very late in the match. It was so dramatic and so bizarre at the same time – no one expected that anymore. For some reason, that has always stuck with me.” The Azzurri only opened the scoring in the 119th minute against host country Germany through Fabio Grosso. Just a minute later, Alessandro Del Piero definitively decided the match with a second goal.
“And of course 2010,” Verstappen continued. “A wonderful World Cup, but at the same time very painful for us Dutch,” he laughed. “I can still perfectly remember that final.” Oranje lost to Spain at the time due to a goal by Andrés Iniesta in extra time. “I had a race myself that day,” Verstappen said. “That didn’t go so well, so I thought: ‘Then the final will surely be better.’ But that also ended badly. That was really a terrible day for me,” grinned the Red Bull driver. “At the same time, you are of course also grateful that your country even plays a World Cup final – that doesn’t happen often. Those two World Cups made the biggest impression on me.”
Read more Lando Norris processes retirement with Daniel Ricciardo, enjoys after Indy 500
NOW ONLINE: 40 pages Race Special GP Canada: our online magazine with news, reactions, analysis, and interview!
Read more Charles Leclerc criticizes ‘terrible’ weekend in Canada: ‘Need to start learning from Hamilton’
