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MONTMELO, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 26: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Scuderia Toro Rosso speaks with his father Jos Verstappen in the team garage during day one of the final Formula One Winter Testing at Circuit de Catalunya on February 26, 2015 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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MONTMELO, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 26: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Scuderia Toro Rosso speaks with his father Jos Verstappen in the team garage during day one of the final Formula One Winter Testing at Circuit de Catalunya on February 26, 2015 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Max Verstappen became the world champion in Formula One in 2021. He beat Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the last race to take the championship. Verstappen has always been a special talent and deserved the title to match his skills. But former Toro Rosso manager Graham Watson explains the reaction when the Dutch driver first made his debut in F1.
The Red Bull driver made his debut in 2015 with the Toro Rosso team. Verstappen was just 17 and the youngest driver ever to race in Formula One. Watson mentioned that there was a lot of concern throughout the paddock when Max made his debut.
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As reported by Motorsport.nl, Watson stated that age does not matter if you are good enough. He mentioned he knew Verstappen was different when he first saw him drive.
“Many people were screaming bloody murder indeed. Kids would have no business in F1, but the reality is, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. I have sometimes wondered why young drivers want to go to Formula 1 so quickly.” said Watson on Verstappen’s debut.
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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN – JANUARY 31: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Scuderia Toro Rosso poses with his father Jos Verstappen after unveiling the new STR10 during previews ahead of Formula One Winter Testing at Circuito de Jerez on January 31, 2015, in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“But with Max, it was different. I remember well that we tried to have a conversation at the pit wall in Jerez during the 2015 winter test. Max was seventeen but was already surrounded by photographers and journalists.
It was almost impossible to talk together. I said to him: ‘This is what you’re going to experience for the rest of your life, just journalists around you’. And I remember very well that Max reacted with the words: ‘Only if I am good enough and will stay.’” said Watson on his first impression of Max.
The Dutch driver surprised everyone with his pace in his debut season. He quickly moved up the ranks, and in 2016, won his first race with Red Bull.
Max is a fine example of the term, ‘age is just a number’. It just remains to be seen how many more titles he will add to the one he won in 2021.
READ MORE: WATCH: Max Verstappen Displays his Masterclass as a 12-Year-Old on Karts
