Max delighted with season despite last race collision

Published on 24 November 2013 by Peter Grondsma

Despite disqualification and missing out on the world title CIK-FIA KF, Max Verstappen remains down to earth about his last race in karts as he reminisces over a hugely successful season.
During the final, Max and his Danish rival Nicklas Nielsen were battling for position several times, with their fight resulting in a collision that would end both drivers' race.

"It just wasn't happening for me in the final. Nielsen proved very fast and I just tried to shut the door", said Max after the race. The fight between the two inevitably led to an attempt by Nielsen to overtake Max on one of the straights. "I saw him coming so I tried to close the door again, which resulted in both our front wheels touching which launched him over my kart". The collision resulted in both drivers going off track with Nielsen out of the race straight away. Max continued the race, but his pace was gone.

Max explains why: "The steering was bend, the front brakes were barely working, the spark-plug head was broken as well as the power valve which meant I couldn't control the engine properly." Despite the issues, Max tried to continue. Eventually, Verstappen junior had to give up two laps before the end. "It was just over, a DNF wouldn't have mattered for the points anyway so it's probably better to stop than to damage more."

Nonetheless, Max can look back on an amazing year: "Of course I would like to thank each and everyone who has helped and supported me throughout this season. It was the best season ever and we wrote karting history by winning two European and one world title in a single season across to different categories", says a smiling Max. "Now we look forward to new challenges, but I will always remain thankful to CRG karts, GFR and TM motors as they have meant so much to me as we shared great success together."

Ron Lem / Stefan Meens