Verstappen: A wedding is not in my plans yet!

In an interview with the Swiss tabloid Blick, Max Verstappen spoke quite openly about himself, his work and even his personal life.

Question: Once your goal in Formula 1 was the first victory, then the first title, and now you are breaking all records…
Max Verstappen: That’s right. My vision has changed. Why not win when there is such an opportunity?

Question: Do you miss the old duels with Lewis Hamilton?
Max Verstappen: No. I’m happy with how this season went. Of course, I still appreciate the fights we had during our time. But now I appreciate more the successes we celebrate together with the team. I managed to achieve a certain number of victories – well, such periods sometimes happen, but I prefer not to think about them. Because all this only costs energy.

Question: Which word in Formula 1 do you think is the most important?
Max Verstappen: Determination. In this sport you always have to give your best, especially in decisive moments.

Question: What gives you more joy – if you manage to break away from the peloton right after the start or if you have to fight until the last lap of the last corner?
Max Verstappen: Races always go differently. Of course I like to dominate the races. But it also means overcoming yourself. I don’t always pay attention to the nature of the race, but just try to make some improvements and learn something while driving.

Q: Did you feel like you were taking too much risk in some races in 2023?
Max Verstappen: No. Usually I have everything under control. I think even in Barcelona, ​​when I got three warnings for exceeding the track limits. I then told myself to drive more calmly and not make any more mistakes, because I still had to do the best lap of the race.

Question: These can also be called exorbitant ambitions…
Max Verstappen: Let it be that way, but I can’t come to the job and not give 100%. This is my personal principle and I follow it on the race tracks.

Q: Can you remember the last time you left the race?
Max Verstappen: Naturally. In Melbourne in 2022. I think there is a leak in the fuel system or something similar has happened. But failures are an integral part of the sport, and after that the team always treats their work with more attention. To become a world champion, you should not allow retirements to happen often. To do this, you have to earn points regularly.

Question: In 2023 you won races from seven different positions. How is this possible?
Max Verstappen: Are you asking about me personally, about our great car or about our great team?

Question: Almost everything at the same time, although ultimately you are the one driving the car and having to cross the finish line first…
Max Verstappen: It looks like we have the perfect combination. And I keep a close eye on everything that happens behind the scenes, because any problems in the team must be nipped in the bud. This cannot be otherwise when you work for such a large company as Red Bull.

Question: So the word ‘honesty’ is not foreign to Formula 1?
Max Verstappen: No. The basis of the successful collaboration with Gianpiero Lambiase, my racing engineer, and other key figures, including Helmut Marko, is mutual respect and trust.

Question: That’s why you have to explain the whole truth in difficult situations on and off the track?
Max Verstappen: Absolutely right. I demand this every day on the job and I act like it myself. What’s good is good. And vice versa. Everything has to be put together at once, and that is part of the recipe for success.

Q: We haven’t discussed the topic of your relationship with your partner, but in Abu Dhabi you even suggested that the team should call Sergio Perez first for a pit stop. This is an unusual gesture for you…
Max Verstappen: Well, there was a simple reason. I wanted to stay on track longer to overcome the 1000 lap lead (Max finished with 1003 such laps during the season).

Question: The highlight of the season for your fans was probably the episode after the victory in Brazil, when on the way to the Red Bull pits you suddenly started singing Tom Jones’ old hit “Green Green Grass of Home”. Will we soon hear Max Verstappen singing from the stage?
Max Verstappen: I beg you, no! It’s just that my father and I often sang this song when I was doing go-karting and taking long trips through Europe. The father told Christian Horner about this and the team started playing this music on the radio.

Question: In general, don’t you sing under the Christmas tree at Christmas?
Max Verstappen: That’s definitely not possible! I’m not a singer at all, so let’s leave this topic. It just keeps getting better for the whole family! (laughs)

Q: Speaking of family, after the Sao Paulo race you went to your friend Kelly Piquet’s farm and then attended her brother’s wedding ceremony. Have you already planned your own wedding?
Max Verstappen: A wedding? Now do you want me to mention the date publicly? I don’t know, time will tell. I am very happy with Kelly, but a wedding is not in my plans yet. Everything must happen spontaneously.

Question: But does this happen while you are competing in Formula 1, or only later?
Max Verstappen: I repeat: I don’t know. This day will come when we feel it is time to officially register our relationship.

Q: How important is the role of family for you when you return to Monaco after a race or other important activity?
Max Verstappen: Very important. The family should be an oasis of peace where you can forget all the stress. Kelly already knows the challenges her father faced during his Formula 1 years. I just love that we have such a big family and that there are so many different animals in the house.

Question: What kind of pets do you keep?
Max Verstappen: We currently have three cats because they are more independent by nature than dogs. Moreover, it is unlikely that you will be able to properly care for your dogs while traveling. And if you take them with you, you have to take care of them like children. It would be very difficult for everyone.

Question: What do you think Formula 1 will look like in ten years?
Max Verstappen: Gasoline engines are probably a thing of the past. But our sport is already becoming “greener” and more environmentally friendly. But one thing can be said with certainty: Max Verstappen will not get in again!

Question: Your contract runs until the end of 2028, i.e. it only expires after five years. But after 2025, Honda will supply engines to the Aston Martin team. Will the team’s dominance end if Red Bull Racing switches to its own engines?
Max Verstappen: Complex issue. But in Milton Keynes, hundreds of people are involved in the Red Bull Powertrains engine project. We don’t want to fall behind in 2026 and hope that our engine will be a real rocket. Let’s see.

Question: Helmut Marko said in one of his interviews that as soon as you finish your career in Formula 1, you immediately create your own GT team…
Max Verstappen: Yes, I have such a goal. It’s not a fact that I’m going to race myself, but I want to create something serious and give talented people a chance. This does not mean that I intend to take them to Formula 1, but I just want to help them build a career in motorsport. There are many championships, by participating in them you can achieve success and have fun. Professional racers can make a living from this, and it is not necessary to compete in Formula 1 at all.

Question: What kind of team leader will Max Verstappen be? You probably learned a lot from Franz Tost, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko?
Max Verstappen: Yes. Absolutely, I will be a normal and honest leader. Maybe a bit old-fashioned, because I’m going to try to get results on the court, and not through social networks. I just want to get wins, and that’s the most important thing for me.