Verstappen: My job is to race, not to entertain the crowd

Max Verstappen, speaking to the press in the paddock of Melbourne’s Albert Park, said he will try to be less distracted from the races this year and therefore limit his off-track schedule.

The Dutch driver of Red Bull Racing is the reigning world champion and it is clear that there is increasing interest in him from journalists, sponsors and fans. Moreover, given that the Covid-19 restrictions are clearly not as strict this year, it can be assumed that the number of people who want to communicate with Verstappen will only increase.

However, he is not going to spend more time on such meetings than he sees fit.

“Even though there are no more restrictions, I’m not going to spend more time on these kinds of meetings on the weekends,” said Max. “Because I’m here to race, not to entertain the crowd. I entertain her when I’m on the track. In all other cases, your mood will not improve, you will not feel well and all this will affect the results.

Therefore, the approach to organizing the weekend program should remain the same. And I always sympathize with Daniel Riccardo, my former partner, because he always has a lot to do. Maybe he manages his time somehow, but I remember it was always hard for him in Australia. The week before this Grand Prix he has a very busy schedule.

I hope he likes all of this anyway, because a home race is always a special event.

The 2022 season is already the ninth in Formula 1 for Verstappen, as he has been in the championship since he was 17 and he has a lot of experience that allows him to plan his work well.

“For this you have to have the right people in your environment who would do this”, emphasizes Max. – Of course, after a while you understand what you need to feel comfortable behind the wheel, and you know well how many different types of meetings you can have on the weekend.

But in some cases you have to be able to say ‘no’. In the end you’re here to race, it’s your life and that’s what you get paid for.”