The multi -champion of the F1 travels along a new track in life and the challenge will be to make it compatible with the sport
Miami Gardens, Florida. – If you are waiting for Max Verstappen Stress, get nervous or, like all other pilots in the history of motor racing, it is obsessed with the next generation that will suddenly fill its retrovisores, well, you can continue waiting. Because he is not going to do any of that.
On Friday morning, the four times world champion of Formula 127 years old, entered the paddock of the Miami Grand Prix without seeming the twice winner of this race or the winner of 64 tests of F1. While doing polite between photographers and fans, no one would say he had just welcomed a newborn daughter.
And when he went to a pavilion inside the circuit to grant an interview, no one would say he did it in the midst of rumors about his discontent in Red Bull, since ‘only’ has won one of the five races played this season and ‘only’ occupies third place in the classification of the championship, behind the McLaren of Oscar Plastri y Lando Norrisconsidered the new generation of this sport, but only three and two years younger than Verstappen, respectively.
No, it simply seemed a guy in the garage, exactly where it is supposed to be, where he has been all his life, but now with more perspective than ever about where he is really.
“You simply try to do the best you can. We are not the fastest team at this time. We try to be as competitive as possible, but at the end of the day, that will not change my life in any way,” Verstappen said, without disdain, but naturally, when asked about rumors about the difficulties it seems to go through Red Bullthat only the day before had led the team leader, Christian Hornerto declare with frustration: “Sometimes it is difficult to understand where the headlines come from.”
In the environment always red of the grill of the F1the discreet tone of the number one pilot Christian Horner It is equally difficult to understand for those around him, especially when he turns them back. The same goes for the billions of people who consume this sport on television, whether live or in reality shows for streaming, and believe they know who the real Max is. (Spoiler alert: He says they don’t know it and that he doesn’t care).
But even now, when escaping with the checkered flag is not as easy as before, in some way his attitude, however misunderstanding, has become more relaxed.
“I come here, I do the best I can, I’m going home, I do other things; then I’m going to the next race, I try to do my best and come home,” he says shrugging a little shoulder. “So, for me, there is not much extra pressure or anything like that. When I am at home, I do not think: ‘Oh, I’m third in the championship, I have to do something!’ Or ‘What can I do?! Formula 1 It is not your whole life. It’s just a small part. ”
The easiest interpretation of this statement is that it is the voice of a first -time father, whose neurochemistry has changed instantly with the arrival of his first daughter, Lily, born this week in Monacothe result of his relationship with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
But their rivals know that it is not so. Verstappen’s tranquility is nothing new. He has always contrasted with his aggressive temperament on the track, although even those who know him have noticed a change in his tone, now more moderate. A trend that already seemed to be accelerating just 24 hours before the birth of Lily.
See: a question that leaned a little towards that topic that irritated so much to Christian Horner Thursday. How much more time will Verstappen continue with this? It is not possible that it is like your friend Fernando Alonsowho continues to compete at 43, when the twentieth anniversary of his first title of F1TRUE?
“No,” Verstappen replied to that idea, laughing.
“I have a contract until 2028, so surely until then, after that, it will also depend a little on the projects that are or not, whether they are interesting or not,” said GT3 team owner, rally and virtual races. “After winning my first championship [en 2021]everything that comes later is an extra, and that’s how I see it. ”
“I will enjoy it and I can identify with sport as I want. While enjoying it, really, that’s all. Enjoy it. And, you know, feel good leaving the family behind.”
See also your willingness to praise the championship leader, Oscar Plastriwho turned 24 last month and has won three of the five races of this year and the five victories of his career in the last nine months.
After finishing second behind the Australian in Saudi Arabia, Max Verstappen commented from Oscar Plastri: “It is his third year and is very solid. He is very quiet in his approach and I like that. He shows on the track. He gives his best when he has to do it, he barely makes mistakes, and that is what is needed when he wants to fight for a championship.”
In case you are not familiar with the world of racing drivers, praise someone with whom you are fighting for the championship? Yes, it is not very common. But it is also a sign of a pilot who, not long ago, was a young rookie who sneaked into the veteran’s parties, and now he is himself a wise veteran.
“When people ask me a question and I want to answer it, I do it in my way, and I’m always sincere, open and quite direct, I guess. But it’s me,” says Verstappen.
“I have a lot of respect for young people who have also joined this sport, and Oscar is doing a great job, and I don’t think you have to try to hide it. It is not a weakness. In addition, for me, it doesn’t matter if you talk well or bad someone. Anyway, that will not change my way of facing the race weekend, right? But you know, you can give credit when you deserve.”
As a young pilot who becomes a legend, you also remember those who were good with you in their day. And you remember very well those who weren’t, right?
“You know, many pilots who are still in the paddock or close to it, I think it’s beautiful, right? When you build a good relationship between pilots.”
If that sounds like a group hug, as a sudden lack of murderous instinct, then read badly. When listening aloud, it continues to sound like Max Verstappenthe third pilot with more victories in the 75 years of history of the Formula 1. The man who is only behind the sacred trio of the F1, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher y Juan Manuel Fangioin terms of championships won.
Only now sounds like a man who has discovered what so many others in his profession have never achieved: the balance between work and personal life. A man we have seen growing before our eyes, determined to find the perfect personal configuration, as he has done with so many racing cars over the years.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”
