Column: Jos Verstappen - Max absolutely amazing

Published on 22 May 2015 by Niels Hendrix

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.

“Absolutely amazing, I can’t really find any other words to describe Max' P2 in the first free practice session in Monaco. It's really an extraordinary result, not least because it's his first time on this track. He really impressed many in the paddock because everyone knows how difficult it is to drive fast around these streets.

It's typical Max though. He has that gift to adapt quickly to difficult conditions and circumstances. However, at the same time, everything has to be right and he does have a car in which he has a tremendous amount of trust.

But experience is and remains vital. I believe that it takes a couple of race weekends in Monte Carlo to really extract the most out of yourself and maximize the performance. When I made my Monaco Formula 1 début, I had already driven here in F3. That's an advantage that Max did not share. That’s why I told him to build up his pace throughout the session and to take time getting to know the track. There's no point in risking too much.

He really stuck with that advice and in the end he had enough confidence to push and go near the limit. It resulted in the second fasted time. Obviously we have to wait and see what happens in qualifying and the race, but clearly things are looking good. Especially considering there is still lap time to be gained.

Qualifying in the top ten would be a great starting point ahead of the race. A good quali is half the job done around these streets. If you stay in the middle of the road, no one can overtake you. Nevertheless, driving around Monaco is something special, probably because of it's limitations.

As a driver I thought it was special. From a physical perspective it's tougher than any other track because you don’t have a moment's rest. The track requires your full attention, every tenth of the way. You can't afford mistakes because you'll end up in the wall.

Monaco is more than just a race, it's an experience. It's hard to capture that magic in words. It's crazy to drive this fast in these narrow streets, this close to the wall. Of course there is also the backdrop of luxurious yachts and celebrities which give the event a special vibe with all the glitter and glamour.

And let's not forget that Monaco is a place with a rich racing heritage. Think of Ayrton Senna's first Monaco Grand Prix in '84 in the Toleman. In a sensational race, he finished second. There's a reason people say this is a place where the real racers can show their true colours.

That bodes well for Max.”

Jos Verstappen

Source: De Telegraaf/Telesport

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