Max and Jos catch up with the Verstappen Info Page
Published on 31 August 2014 by Stefan Meens
A week after joining the Red Bull Junior Team on August 12, it was announced that Max Verstappen will drive the 2015 Formula 1 season for Scuderia Toro Rosso, Infiniti Red Bull’s sister team. Needless to say, Verstappen junior’s life has been turned upside down. Both Max and his father Jos chatted to the Verstappen Info Page revealing how they experienced the last weeks and what is in store for Max’ in the foreseeable future.
Max kicks off the interview: “It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I’ve been traveling a lot and I’m constantly on the move. The media attention is huge and I’m often interviewed. I guess it’s part of it. Formula 1 has always been my dream so it doesn’t bother me at all.”
In the wake of becoming a Scuderia Toro Rosso driver, both praise and criticism have been uttered in response to Max’ promotion. “If you’re announced as the youngest ever F1 driver, I guess criticism is to be expected, so I prepared myself for it. To be honest, I don’t care as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We’ll see what happens next year.”
So far, Max is delighted with his new team and the Dutchman is looking forward to his rookie season. “Toro Rosso has battled for points in the last few years so I’ll try score as many points as I can”, says the youngest ever driver. “During the Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps I’ve been with the team all weekend. They received me really well and the Toro Rosso folks are all very nice. It’s important that a team want do everything they can to prepare you and have confidence in you as a driver. That’s been the case at Toro Rosso and I’m looking forward to give it my all next year.”
The last couple of months proved to be very intense and busy. With the next F1 season starting in March 2015, the next six months will pretty hectic as well. Father and mentor Jos explains: “Max knows what he has to do ahead of the new season and the strategy is for him to focus on the racing. We’ll help him deal with all the stuff off track which is important, especcialy if you've seen the amount of media attention during the Grand Prix at Spa. Therefore, we’ll switch to a more quieter media profile in the wake of the VKV City Racing event, so Max can focus on the tasks set out for him. He’ll have to prepare physically, spent time in the simulator, do track tests, obtain a super licence, get a seat fitted etc.”
For the foreseeable Formula 1 related future, the plans are still open. Jos: “First of all, we’ll have Max drive a one-year old car. After that we’ll plan other activities, such as Friday practice. It’s not sure if he’ll participate in them; that’s a decision we’ll leave to the team.”
Formula 1 cars are physically tough due to the high g-forces generated. Nevertheless, Jos is confident Max will be ready. “The steering in an F1 car isn’t that heavy or tough. It’s mainly his neck muscles that need to be trained. But with six months to the first race, he’ll be physically ready.”
Jos will be present at all the race weekends and meetings. During them, father and son will make decisions together. Verstappen senior is therefore confident Max is ready for F1. “If you know him personally and see what he’s done in such a short career, it’s apparent he’s ready but he has to take this chance and get plenty of mileage under his belt. In terms of driving and dealing with the press, I think is up to it.”
When he lines up on the Australian Grand Prix grid in March 2015, Max will be seventeen years old. Most of his peers will be at school. The Dutchman might not be in the classroom but there is no escaping from school. “I’ve still got a year to go and I’m being taught via online lessons. They’re every Tuesday and so far it’s going well and it’s important to me to finish secondary school”, concludes Max.
