He dominated the Brazilian Grand Prix, leaving nothing but crumbs for his rivals: Max Verstappen has already cemented his place in racing history
Becoming a Formula 1 driver demands immense effort (both sporting and financial), talent, and an extraordinary amount of discipline. To become a champion, and even more so a legend, is reserved for only a select few. Recently, Max Verstappen joined this elite club, perfecting a unique “recipe” that has taken driving skill to an almost unprecedented level.
But what’s the secret behind this extraordinary driver?
His victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix left no doubt: winning a Formula 1 race from 17th on the grid in the rain requires an unparalleled confidence in the car. Verstappen’s confidence is on another level, one that no other driver seems able to match. This confidence stems from his unique approach: while his early obsession revolved around go-karts and local tracks, today Verstappen frequently trains virtually in what’s now commonly called “SimRacing.”
Beginnings with Jos and the Tough “Apprenticeship”
Verstappen Jr. began racing at a young age, always under the stern watch of his father. On the karting tracks, his talent was evident, shaped by Jos’s rigorous guidance: from episodes at Sarno racetrack in Naples to numerous victories (and a few defeats) early in his career, Max was always the first to arrive at the track and the last to leave, especially when it rained.
This made him increasingly unbeatable and unreachable: his intense apprenticeship, far tougher than that of any other driver, fueled a career that took off in Formula 1 when he was just 17 years and 3 days old, debuting in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
His debut was challenging, but the experience and awareness he gained from karting made him fast right from the start. A few years in Formula 1, a few crashes, and a sporting arrogance he learned to control transformed him into a true generational phenomenon.
SimRacing: Max Verstappen’s “Secret” Training Method
As Verstappen himself admitted in an interview with SimRacer Jarno Opmeer, he hasn’t been on a kart track since 2016: “I probably trained so much with karts that now I need a break, although my friend Stan always asks me to go,” Max explains. So, how does the Hasselt phenomenon train now?
Verstappen’s secret (if it can be called that, given his well-known virtual activity) is SimRacing: Red Bull’s number 1 combines his training, simulator work, and track time with online races on iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and F1 24, some of the industry’s most popular games.
Simply put, Max Verstappen practices on track even in his downtime, broadcasting his virtual activities to fans on Twitch.
From karting obsession to an intense SimRacing routine: while talent and the car are certainly important factors in Verstappen’s success, his hard work has already made him a legend at only 27 years old.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing, Red Bull, Formula 1