Most would agree that Max Verstappen has stepped away from his “Mad Max” persona, especially after the 2021 season. The Dutchman oozed maturity and confidence as he stood atop the podium on 15 separate occasions this past year. This mature change is recent, but this incredible record-breaking run wasn’t a fluke. British Presenter Will Buxton will attest to this fact.

Verstappen, from an early age, showed signs of brilliance behind a race car as well as his aggressiveness. Will Buxton witnessed it firsthand back in 2014 at the Florida Winter Series. The now-Red Bull man made his first competitive appearance in the series and the occasional driver was present to witness Verstappen’s superiority.

Buxton revealed his experience to Formula 1 magazine as reported by Formule 1.Nl. “It soon became clear that Max could do things that others couldn’t,” said Buxton after Verstappen’s performance on the track. [Translated using Google]

Still true to his core, the Dutchman was aggressive and unforgiving on the track, similar to his very recent self. “Max upset some guys,” Buxton claimed because of his aggressive style of driving.

The Dutchman won the race in Palm beach, an obvious outcome for many. “We had all heard of Max, seen the karting videos, knew the headlines of his karting successes. We already knew he was special,” concluded Buxton.

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Verstappen kept up his aggressive style of driving and nature until recently. However, not a lot of people care about that as long as the Dutchman keeps winning races. But all in all, Verstappen doesn’t let his aggressiveness overshadow his racing prowess. This is something even a world champion could see in the Dutchman in his early years.

Jenson Button could see the obvious difference between Max Verstappen and his peers

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion, Jenson Button, was also present in Palm Beach looking at the sport’s future. Not just a speculative comment but this is something Button felt when he witnessed Verstappen race in Florida.

Button said, “When Max’s data was viewed in that classroom, you could see some of the boys’ shoulders slump a little bit with a look like, ‘ Fucking hell, this kid is doing something I can’t do.'”

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Button and Buxton’s remarks about Verstappen tell us clearly the Dutchman was destined for greatness. How high do you think will Verstappen rank among the greats before he calls it quits?