Max Verstappen achieved his 18th victory in Formula 1 at the US Grand Prix in Austin, fending off Lewis Hamilton in entertaining and thrilling action in the final few laps. It was arguably Verstappen’s best performance over a race weekend, with many dubbing his pole position worthy lap his best along with his best performance on a Sunday afternoon.
One could not blame the Dutchman for being filled with adrenaline, and for being extremely active, as he jumped out of the car. Yet, he just embraced it all. Climbing out of the car after ‘that’ drive, it was just a fist bump and an acknowledgement of his team and the adoring crowd. Nothing more.
Many would have expected to see the usual F1 winner reaction of running into their teams arms as they are harassed with hands, but the biggest reaction from Verstappen was when Christian Horner embraced him in a bear hug.
Amazingly, this was not a first. He has been like this for a long time – but not many had noticed. Zandvoort opened many people’s eyes.
He is currently in the stages of competing for his first Formula 1 world championship, in a car that is finally able to compete for such prizes, and he won his first home grand prix in a higher pressure situation. And again, it was one fist pump, a wave to the crowd and an embrace of his team.
Although emotions can run high with the helmet on, that frankly means nothing. During a race situation, manners are not important – be as feisty as you want. And drivers like Verstappen usually are. Well, in fairness, Verstappen has had his moments in the past. On track and off track, but he made his debut in F1 at 17 years old. That is just unreal. He literally had to grow up in the eye of everyone watching, whilst learning his craft in Formula 1 of all championships. One year of car racing then the pinnacle. Of course he was going to be rash and a bit rough around the edges. He had to grow in very tricky circumstances.
Now, look at him thrive.
It shows his maturity levels with racing now. A few years ago, he was the high tempered and sometimes petulant kid racing in the pinnacle of the sport. It was unfair to claim that he was never going to mature, but the level in which is has is simply amazing. Energy can radiate onto other people, and a calm Verstappen can radiate into those who work in his team – contributing to a calm Red Bull Racing.
Now, he is able to understand that although Formula 1 is a major player in his life, it is not his complete life. He has been able to enjoy his days away from racing. That is something that many either involved in the sport or away from it cannot admit.
Thankfully, he hasn’t lost that ruthless side to him. If anything, he is even more ruthless when he is racing – except he is just smarter. Hence why is able to fight for a championship at the first opportunity of being able to do so.
Of course, people love to support the enthusiastic, hyper active drivers who wear their heart on their sleeve. Look at the passion and energy Ferrari show when they are on the top step of the podium. The Red Bull man has been over to prove the opposite. He has pulled in a large following by being his nonchalant, laid back self. Away from the track, and sometimes in the paddock, he hadn’t a care in the world.
It is quite incredible. You can tell that, at times, he can get a tad uncomfortable with the elation he receives – almost in a introverted way.
However, will his emotions remain in check if he manages to secure the drivers title at the end of the season. You can imagine the words ‘simply lovely’ will be said, in his and his race engineer’s usual funny way.
Speaking of his race engineer, he also deserves a large heap of credit. Gianpiero Lambiase, better known as GP, has been a fundamental factor to Verstappen’s demeanour. Since the Dutchman’s arrival at Red Bull Racing in 2016, GP has been the man in his ear throughout every session. Verstappen needed a calming voice when he was younger, and their relationship has developed into arguably the best relationship out of all of the drivers and their race engineer. When Verstappen is getting a bit riled up, GP is calm. When Verstappen is calm. GP is somehow calmer.
In other words, he is a very calm person. He does not get the acknowledgement he deserves when it comes to the driver, and man, that Max Verstappen is today.
The Motorsport Formula 