Max reflects on first two Grands Prix

Published on 10 April 2015 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen has passed his initiation in the Formula 1 with flying colours. He has rewritten history and broken some records in the process also. By being the youngest Formula 1-driver ever and having scored points at his young age. But all that doesn’t have any importance for the youngster, only one thing is important for Max: beating the competition while racing.

At Australia, during the start of this year’s racing season, the 17-year old Dutchman suffered his first setback, when his Scuderia Toro Rosso halted due to an engine failure. “The race in Melbourne was disappointing because I was not able to finish. Nevertheless we had a strong performance”, Max reflects. At the second Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur, Verstappen junior finished seventh, and was the best timed Renault-driver. “I think I showed some great maneuvers in Malaysia. We had a great race over there”.

How difficult is it actually to race in the pinnacle of motorsport? Max: “You need to adapt yourself. There is a lot of management: managing your tyres, adjusting different settings on your steering wheel and maintaining contact with the team. You are constantly busy doing all sorts of things during the race, but it feels quite naturally. It all happens without thinking.”

What can we expect? “There is still a lot to learn, but I am quite at ease in the team. That is at this moment the most important thing. There is still room for improvement, for myself also. But so far I am quite pleased”, says Max.