With the 2023 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen has outdone himself. The Red Bull driver crowned his second title defense in a row with numerous records that he and those around him would hardly have dared to dream of during his first title success in 2021. Neither does his father Jos Verstappen.
“We didn’t know that back then, of course,” he said on Sky when asked whether he had already suspected in 1997 – when his son was born – that he would become one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. “But, it was my turn to choose a strong name and we agreed to call him Max.”
Max, derived from the Latin Maximus, means “the greatest”. And in 2023, Verstappen lived up to this name: 19 wins this season, 21 podiums, 575 points – no Formula 1 driver before him has been so dominant over a season.
What else is to come? How is he going to top that? “I have no idea,” ponders father Jos, himself a former racing driver and his son’s greatest supporter. “I think this year he’s so strong and he’s always, how do you say, every race he’s 100 percent there and that’s the most important thing.”
Max Verstappen and Red Bull, the perfect symbiosis
The three-time world champion doesn’t let problems bother him – such as the season finale in Abu Dhabi. “It was difficult in the third training session, but from qualifying everything was perfect again,” says Jos Verstappen.
“That’s also the strength of Max, but also of his racing engineers, who understand what he needs and that’s just great,” he praises the collaboration at Red Bull.
Verstappen is under contract there until the end of 2028. However, this contains an exit clause. Recently, the Dutchman has often expressed criticism of Formula 1, criticizing the sprint races and the show aspect of many events that are too strong for his taste, such as the recent one in Las Vegas.
When asked whether he might lose interest in Formula 1 at some point, his father emphasized: “He’s definitely not tired.” But he also knows about the sacrifices and challenges that the increasingly busy racing calendar brings with it.
Jos Verstappen: Max will fulfill his contract
“Now Max is happy that this season is over. But it’s hard. I mean, you notice it in yourself too, everyone’s a little sick and stuff. 24 races are too much for me. But I don’t know when it becomes too much for him,” says Jos Verstappen.
But his son will do it for a few more years: “Yes, yes, one hundred percent. He will serve out his contract anyway.” Before the next season calls, it’s time to relax.
“For him, winter means that we can eat and drink whatever we want and finish Formula 1. That’s important to recharge the battery,” says dad Verstappen. “He wants to really rest, not talk about Formula 1 at all and then in mid-January he’ll start training again.”