Column: Jos Verstappen - Max is my motivation
Published on 17 April 2015 by Stefan Meens
Jos Verstappen is still the Netherlands most successful Formula 1 driver. This season he shares his opinions regarding the sport via a column in Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf. Below the latest edition.
“As a dad it is great to be this close to Max when he is doing so well in Formula 1. I’m very proud of him. But besides being a dad, I’m also his advisor in the paddock. Don’t forget, he’s only a seventeen-year-old guy, who entered the snake pit that is F1 for the first time.
Behind the scenes, I’m trying to advise him and help him improve in every area; from private stuff to racing but also how to deal with people. For example, Max thanked Martin Brundle for his kind words after he compared Max to Senna and Schumacher after the Chinese Grand Prix. It’s important that people like you and you get along with them.
Max is popular with most, especially within Scuderia Toro Rosso. Nevertheless, he sometimes still needs a bit of guidance. To be honest, it would be weird if he didn’t need that at this stage. But he’s a fast learner and in a couple of years’ time, things will undoubtedly be different. But for the moment, it’s still important that I’m by his side.
I’ve noticed that people outside the paddock can be irritated by my presence. Those critics should ask themselves the question why and how Max made it into Formula 1. I gave him a ‘university’ course in professional motor racing. Max is the one who does all the hard work on the race track, but we’re still a team. That’s why he still talks about ‘us’ and he feels the same way about it.
The truth is Max sometimes needs a bit of feedback. For example, during qualifying in the rain in Malaysia, I knew by the look on his face he wanted to know my thoughts, so I had a brief chat with him.
One of Max’ qualities is how well he deals with disappointments. However, when we flew from Shanghai to Bahrein Sunday evening, it’s good for him to be able to talk about his non-finish that day. It means he can let off some steam and that’s ok because as a dad I don’t have ulterior motives.
In Formula 1, everyone fights for their own interests, but my motivation is Max. There are of course plenty of moments that Max needs his own space and says ‘not now dad’. I pick up on those moments and often enough I take a step back without him needing to say a thing.
The media often wants to know my opinion as I’m an ex-F1 driver myself and the dad of a current one. And I think, if I may say so myself, that I say some pretty useful stuff. So whenever there is some criticism, I don’t mind it if it comes from people who know what their talking about. But for those people who think an F1 car is switched on with a key, they’d better keep quiet as they’re making themselves look like fools."
Jos Verstappen
Source: De Telegraaf/Telesport
