Max Verstappen now has the spotlight on him. The championship contender is not only gaining popularity for his on-track performance but also for the changed driver he is today. Gone are the days of overly angry radio rants and fits of anger. Now, Verstappen has been unflustered throughout the most intense season of his career. Reflecting on the times that would have ticked him off, Verstappen recalls his collision in Monza.

Viewers of the Italian GP took a collective gasp when the championship protagonists collided most unusually. Although both parties brushed the collision aside as a racing incident, they had passed a lot of nuanced comments around at the time.

Looking back at the moment with Square mile, Verstappen recalled the time his car landed on top of his rival’s W12. “We were racing for position in Monza but you need two people to work together to make the corner and Lewis just kept squeezing until there wasn’t room anymore for two cars and that’s when we crashed.”

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One of the prominent moments in the championship battle; the Red Bull driver chooses to ignore the drama. “I was there to try and race hard but fair. It’s very unfortunate what happened but we are both professionals–we move on.” And they have. Although not the best of mates, Hamilton and Verstappen have kept it respectful on and off the track.

Competitiveness runs in the blood for Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen explains that his competition with Lewis Hamilton is all part of the game. Despite the aggressive battle this season, both drivers have been friendly otherwise. ” So far there have been some tense moments, but overall it’s been all right.”

However, Max Verstappen believes that his spirit for competition comes from his family. “I mean, you are naturally born with a competitive element. You also grow up with it and you see it around you, so I guess that helps.” His mother is a karting champion and his father was an F1 driver. It’s the perfect formula for a champion in the making.

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What adds to Verstappen’s character this season, is his newfound sense of tranquility. Even after a race, barring the given “Let’s go boys!” celebrations, one can never hear Max get overly excited. Probably, throughout the season, Verstappen has realized that one race can change everything.

Thus, the Dutchman remains pragmatic. “I have a lot more experience now. I’ve been through a lot of different scenarios and situations over the years. It just makes you anticipate a lot more things, and you have so much more knowledge about a Formula One car nowadays–all these things just help to make things a lot easier.”

It has only been exciting watching Max take the role of the challenger in the season’s title battle. With only four rounds to go and a 19-point lead in the bag, it would be an exceptional sight to see the Dutchman unleash the Lion and lift the championship trophy over his head.

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