Column: Jos Verstappen - a boy became a man

Published on 27 November 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.

“At the beginning of the season, in March, Max walked into the paddock in Melbourne as a 17-year-old boy. Next Wednesday, after the last race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and the Pirelli test on Tuesday, he’ll go home as an 18-year-old man.

If you have a look at photos taken as the season progressed, you see he’s become a real man. You can tell by the look in his eyes. In terms of character, Max hasn’t changed, but as a person he grown tremendously in the last nine months. More mature, independent and knowing the ways of the world.

I notice it in my role as well. I’ve had less and less to do. Max knows what he has to do. He knows what’s important and how to build up his race weekend or how to approach a race. It gives me the opportunity to chat with people and to keep an eye on all the developments behind the scenes. Obviously that’s all in Max’ interest.

I think Max stunned pretty much most of the world. I wasn’t necessarily. In all categories he’s raced, he was competitive from the start and won straight away. That hasn’t really changed in Formula 1. He got in the car, familiarized himself, learned what he had to do and then, without being overwhelmed by the grandeur of Formula1, showed what he can do.

I knew he had it in him but that doesn’t make it any less special to see what he’s achieved in such a short amount of time. Especially his overtakes are spectacular. But that’s also because his car isn’t so quick on the straights. It forces him to drive in a technically clever way in order to overtake. Max is incredibly good at that.

Max’ life looks completely different compared to a year and a half ago. My life only changed partially. Of course I’m not home as much because I follow Max around. But when we get home, he has to do a lot of stuff whereas I don’t. In that respect, Max is incredibly busy, but that’s part of the game if you’re that good.

The FIA nominations, in particular for ‘personality of the year’, confirm he’s doing well. Everywhere, people’s appreciation shines through, especially in England. The commentators and pundits there are mainly ex-drivers so they know what they’re talking about. Nevertheless, Max isn’t really focussed on those nominations. He drives to do well and to eventually win races.

The next step in his career is scoring podiums. I think it’s good that he’ll again drive for Toro Rosso next season. Another year of learning as much as he can and gaining as much experience as possible. After that, he’s ready for the real deal.”

Jos Verstappen

Source: De Telegraaf/Telesport

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