The past few weeks have been nothing short of a whirlwind for F1’s newest - and youngest ever - race winner, Max Verstappen. On the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix - just his second event for Red Bull - we caught up with the teenage Dutchman to reflect on his victory, including just what it meant to the man who took the surprise decision to promote him - Dr Helmut Marko…
Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing RB12 at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix, Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 15 May 2016.
I always wanted to be in Formula One, to win races and championships - nothing else.
Max Verstappen
Q: Max, have you now digested the fact that you once again re-wrote F1 history with your win in Spain?
Max Verstappen: Ha, it was probably more exciting from the outside. Yes, it’s a bit of a special feeling but in the end I don’t follow and count records. I just want to win. Period!
Q: There are two other drivers on the grid who previously held the ‘youngest ever’ attribute: Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel - and both became world champions. Is that also your given destiny?
MV: I wish that’s my destiny. At least I try to! (laughs) I always wanted to be in Formula One, to win races and championships - nothing else. I’ve won one race now - so let’s hope that it is the start of a long series!
Q: How did you learn that you would take Daniil Kvyat’s seat at Red Bull? Did you expect that something like that could happen during the season?
MV: Well, you never can expect such a chance! Not at that time of the year. Dr Helmut Marko [Red Bull motorsport consultant] called me after Russia and we met in Graz - and then everything got cemented into a contract! I know speaking it out it sounds pretty unimpressive, but it I knew what big chance was attached to it!
Q: Helmut is a pretty tough task master when it comes to his drivers and you must have been aware that there was another party who also got a call from him with much less happy news. Was that on your mind?
MV: Well, you always have that! That’s life - and more precise: that’s Formula One. I wouldn’t say that Helmut is tough - he is straight forward - and that’s where we match. And that’s what he also likes in me - I guess.
Q: How did you learn to be so unfazed about all the things that go on around you? Stress and excitement seem to glance off your personality - and all at an age of eighteen…
MV: All I can say is: I am just myself. That’s how I grew up. I haven’t really taken the time to analyse myself! (laughs) Too many things have happened lately….
Race winner Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing and Dr Helmut Marko (AUT) Red Bull Motorsport Consultant celebrate in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix, Race, Barcelona, Spain, Sunday 15 May 2016.
I wouldn’t say that Helmut is tough - he is straight forward - and that’s where we match. And that’s what he also likes in me.
Max Verstappen
Q: Don’t you sometimes have the feeling that everything has come too fast - that the expectation level will again raise a notch and you have to cope with it?
MV: As I said I am not thinking too much about it. I just do it. And lucky me: it has always been very positive for me.
Q: Being unconcerned is a privilege of youth. One day you might sit down and think - and it is then when many successful youngsters fall into a black hole…
MV: …then it kicks in again: don’t think too much. (laughs) Just do your thing!
Q: You have won many races before - otherwise you wouldn’t be here. What makes that F1 win so special?
MV: Because it’s your dream! Something that I wanted as long as I can remember!
Q: Does it make it more special that you kept two former world champions behind you - Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel?
MV: Ha! Probably that was a bit the icing on the cake! But in the end you don’t care who is behind you - as long as they are behind you!
Q: Helmut was on the podium with you - something he hasn’t done in years…
MV: Yep, I think it was a big relief for him, too - to show everybody that it was the right decision [to switch drivers]. So my guess is that he was very happy. He has taken quite a risk - and it paid off - for both of us!
Q: You’ve won with Kvyat’s car. That must be pretty tough for him. Have there been big changes from Russia to Spain to explain that?
MV: Not really big changes. And again: What happened happened! I trust we both tried to deliver the best possible result with the cars that we had.
Q: Aren’t you also living your dad’s dream? He was in F1 for many years, mostly driving inferior cars and never really breaking through - and there you come - and win with a not so competitive car…
MV: Well, we sometimes talk about it. I think that the potential of my dad didn’t come out fully - for many reasons. To start with he was teamed against a world champion - Michael Schumacher - and that is not easy. And aside from that things happened that didn’t help his career. So yes, he has some unfinished business in F1 - so in Spain all his hard work paid off…
Q: …so you finish his unfinished F1 business?
MV: Yes, that’s how I see it as well! (laughs)
Q: Red Bull obviously also raised your salary significantly…
MV: All I can say: I am not getting poorer… (laughs)
Q: Monaco should also be a Red Bull track - but it is a track where experience can help a lot. Are you ready to tip the scale with youthful bravado - and bring the car home?
MV: Well, I think the package is very strong here. I had a good feeling so far - given the fact that it will only be my second race in the RB11. I am a realist: Mercedes will be very strong again - no matter if it is an engine driven track or not. A podium would be very cool here - winning of course even cooler! But to be honest: when in ten years’ time - and after winning a couple of world championships - I have never won Monaco then I would say: I don’t care! (laughs)
