Max Verstappen: The Inside Track on a Formula One Star

Product Information

On the first runs in the top 10 shootout, Leclerc used scrubbed tyres, as did all other drivers apart from Verstappen, and was slowest.

It was a consummate display of how far the driver has come since he made his debut at 17 in 2015 – the impetuousness, poor decision-making, overaggressiveness and a somewhat all-or-nothing approach that earned him the “Mad Max” moniker was nowhere to be seen. Verstappen executed with a relentless, clinical precision, a distinctive hallmark of the great drivers and notably multiple world champions, particularly the two most successful of the modern era, Michael Schumacher and Hamilton. The race was almost the season in microcosm as Verstappen dominated from pole to flag. Imperturbable, untouchable, unstoppable, he is the terminator yet one still young enough to be adorned with wisps of teenage‑esque facial hair. He has 13 wins from 16 grands prix now and has been the overwhelming contributor to Red Bull seizing their sixth title with a record six meetings to go. Russell, meanwhile, said he had expected to fight at the front after being fastest in final practice.

Piastri had been the slower McLaren driver all weekend but Norris' error allowed the Australian to sneak ahead for a strong result at the end of an impressive rookie season. I think Helmut learned his lesson, never bet against me,” said a laughing Verstappen. A lesson his rivals have learned with crushing regularity this season.

To finish on the podium first race of the year is just amazing. What Aston Martin did over the winter to have the second best car on race one is just unreal,” said Alonso. “Hopefully people enjoyed it. We enjoyed it as well, so let’s enjoy it together.”

Product

It will be an extension of his season record if he does so and a 54th career victory would take him past Sebastian Vettel’s tally. The Dutchman will then take his place with the third-highest number of wins behind Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. No one, and most certainly not Marko, will be betting against it.

Although the result looks entirely predictable on paper, within Red Bull there was some doubt as to whether Verstappen could secure pole after a difficult weekend until qualifying. Not that Verstappen or Red Bull are taking anything for granted as Verstappen noted here with undertones of ominous intent. “What you have learned throughout the whole year, last year, gives you a much better understanding of the car,” he said. “That naturally makes it better but that doesn’t mean that we are satisfied. We’re never satisfied, you always want to do better.”Widely respected motorsport writer and F1 insider Mark Hughes is perfectly placed to write the most authoritative narrative on Verstappen's incredible rise through the ranks to F1 glory. Hughes' immaculate credentials and first-rate access enable him to generate fresh and fascinating insights, and to paint a fully-rounded and richly-textured portrait of one of the most exciting young sportsmen on the planet. Yet there is not a chance of complacency, according to Hamilton, who has been wheel to wheel with him more than any other driver. “I don’t think he will slip up,” the Briton said. “He’s a world champion. I wouldn’t question his determination or his focus, he will be just as focused as ever and it is our job to catch up. I think he will be very confident, they developed an amazing car last year and blew away all the records on pretty much everything. I don’t think they were even pushing at the end and they were still way ahead. I don’t see that changing necessarily starting this season.” Veľmi dobre napísaný príbeh (nenazval by som to životopis, už len vzhľadom na vek Maxa). Pútavý pohľad na jeho detstvo, formovanie, jeho cestu do F1 a napokon do Red Bullu na jeho mentalitu a zaujímavé sú najmä tie súvislosti, ktoré autor odkrýva a na ktoré upozorňuje. Why girlbands are more radical than you might think: Chart the surprising history of some of the most iconic British girlbands Verstappen has been the vanguard of their charge and, had Pérez been closer to his teammate on more occasions, they might have closed it out even sooner. “Max is absolutely at the top of the game, he is the best driver in F1 at this point in time,” Horner said. “He has this inner hunger and determination and huge ability but he channels it and he does not get distracted by some of the trappings of F1, he is an out and out racer.”