In Miami Gardens, Florida, anticipating Max Verstappen to show stress, panic, or obsessive worry about younger rivals gaining on him, as is common among racers, would be futile. He displays none of these reactions.
On a Friday morning, the 27-year-old four-time reigning Formula 1 world champion appeared in the Miami Grand Prix paddock remarkably composed. Despite his numerous victories, recent fatherhood, and ongoing speculation about Red Bull`s performance (where he`s `only` won one of five races and sits `only` third in standings behind younger drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris), he showed no signs of pressure.
Instead, he seemed like someone completely at ease in the garage environment, a place familiar to him his whole life, now viewed with significantly greater perspective.
“You simply aim to perform as well as possible. Currently, we aren`t the fastest team. We`re striving for maximum competitiveness, but ultimately, it won`t impact my life fundamentally,” Verstappen stated plainly when questioned about the talk regarding Red Bull`s supposed difficulties. This contrasts with team principal Christian Horner`s recent frustrated comment: “Sometimes it`s hard to grasp where these headlines originate.”
Within the intense, high-pressure environment of the F1 grid, the calm demeanor of Red Bull`s top driver is often puzzling to others, particularly when he`s dominating races. Similarly, billions watching on TV or streaming services might think they understand the true Max, but he asserts they don`t, and furthermore, he`s unconcerned by their perceptions.
Even as victories are no longer as effortless as before, his disposition, however misinterpreted, has noticeably become more relaxed.
He describes his approach with a slight shrug: “I arrive here, perform optimally, return home, engage in other activities, then travel to the next race, aim for my best again, and go home. So, I don`t feel significant added pressure. At home, I`m not actively contemplating, `Being P3 means I must act!` or `What steps can I take?!` My extensive experience over the years has taught me what actions to take and avoid. It`s also about allocating some energy to other aspects that constitute your life. After all, Formula 1 isn`t everything; it`s merely a segment of your life.”
A simple interpretation of this viewpoint might attribute it to the influence of recent fatherhood, suggesting his perspective was immediately altered by the birth of his daughter, Lily, with long-term partner Kelly Piquet in Monaco this week.
However, his competitors understand differently. Verstappen`s relaxed nature isn`t a recent development. While it contrasts sharply with his aggressive driving style, those familiar with him have observed an increasing tendency towards a more subdued attitude, a shift that appeared to accelerate just before Lily`s birth.
Consider a question posed that touched upon the very subject that had frustrated Horner the day before: How much longer will Verstappen continue in F1? Surely, he won`t emulate his friend Fernando Alonso, who is still competing at 43, nearing the 20th anniversary of his initial F1 championship.
“No,” Verstappen replied, amused by the suggestion.
“My contract extends until 2028, so I`m definitely committed until then. Beyond that, it hinges on available projects and whether they seem appealing,” explained Verstappen, who manages teams in GT3, rally, and sim racing. “Winning my first championship in 2021 made everything that follows feel like an extra bonus, and that`s genuinely my perspective.”
“I`ll continue as long as I find it enjoyable and feel connected to the sport on my own terms. Essentially, it`s about enjoyment. And also, being comfortable with leaving my family,” he added.
Another example is his willingness to praise Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, who recently turned 24. Piastri has won three of five races this season and achieved all five career wins within the last nine months. After finishing behind the Australian in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen commented on Piastri: “He`s in his third year and seems very consistent. His approach is very calm, which I appreciate. It reflects in his performance on track. He performs under pressure, makes very few errors, which is essential for anyone aiming for a championship.”
For those unfamiliar with typical race driver dynamics, offering significant praise to a direct championship competitor is highly unusual. However, it also signals a driver who, not long ago was the young challenger disrupting established contenders, has now matured into a seasoned veteran himself.
“When questioned, I respond in my own manner, always honestly, openly, and quite directly, I suppose. That`s just my nature,” Verstappen stated, seemingly sidestepping the idea of becoming an `elder statesman` in the paddock, yet his words conveyed precisely that image.
“I greatly respect the younger drivers entering the sport, and Oscar is performing exceptionally well. I don`t believe there`s any need to conceal that. Acknowledging it isn`t a vulnerability. Furthermore, for me, whether you speak positively or negatively about someone doesn`t affect my approach to a race weekend. However, it`s important to give credit where it is earned,” he explained.
As a young competitor rising to legendary status, you tend to recall those who supported you early on, and equally, those who didn`t.
“It`s pleasant to see many drivers still involved in or around the paddock,” he mused. “Building positive relationships among drivers is valuable.”
If this seems overly soft or suggests a diminished competitive edge, that interpretation is incorrect. Spoken aloud, his voice retains the intensity of Max Verstappen, the third most successful driver in Formula 1 history by wins, and the only one trailing the celebrated trio of Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio in championships.
The difference is that now he speaks as someone who has mastered a concept elusive to many in his field: balancing professional and personal life. Having witnessed his growth, he seems focused on achieving the ideal personal arrangement with the same dedication he applied to perfecting his race car setups throughout his career.
“I`ve been contemplating that for quite some time already,” he concluded.
