Max Verstappen: I was Never Mad Max

Published 03/07/2019, 5:45 AM EST

Follow Us

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is currently heading into his fifth season in F1. During those five years, his aggressive actions have earned him the moniker, ‘Mad Max’. However, he insists he was simply aiming to eke out the best result possible for the team.

Inspite of being just 21 years old, 2019 marks Verstappen’s fifth season in Formula 1. The Dutchman made his debut for Toro Rosso in 2015.

Then, in the middle of 2016, he was given an unexpected promotion to Red Bull following Daniil Kvyat’s mishaps. He rewarded the Austrian outfit’s faith with his first win on debut.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Since then, Verstappen has endured numerous highs and lows. The 21-year old is notorious for is no-holds-barred driving out on the track.

However, he believes that he is “just” a driver looking to do his best in Formula One.

via Imago

“It’s going to be my fifth season so there are no excuses any more and you have to be mature,” he said, speaking to Reuters.

“I was never Mad Max. I was just Max who was trying to get the best result for the team.”

Last season, an altercation with then Racing Point driver, Esteban Ocon, resulted in a punishment. He was orderer to serve two days of public service for shoving Ocon after the two collided in Brazil.

He spent one day in the stewards’ office, who were officiating a Formula E race in Marrakech. After that, he completed the punishment by attending the FIA International Stewards Programme in Geneva.

In the wake of that, he spoke about the lessons learned there. However, he insisted that it will not change who he is as a driver.

“As a driver I will always be the same guy,” he stated firmly. “I always try to get the best result out of it, I’m not there to just sit second or sit third.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I’m a winner and I want to win every single race and I will always go for it. If you are fighting for the championship sometimes second is enough, for sure.”

“But I’ve never been in that position yet in Formula One, so every opportunity I get to win a race I will always go for it.”

Fans of his can also rejoice as he declared that he still has many years left in him to race in F1.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“My aim is to be here for 15 years at least. I’ve got another 11, and I’m 32 then.” he continued, “Maybe I can drive until I’m 36 or 37. 40. It depends on how long you like it as well. Maybe 42.”

via Imago

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Dhruv George

14,317Articles

One take at a time

Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.
Show More>