Max Verstappen is very well known as a no-nonsense type of driver. The Dutchman is not scared of putting his car in places to overtake or defend where other drivers would think twice before putting theirs. One of the most competitive drivers on the grid, Verstappen had once mentioned that he does not have any friends while he is on the track.
Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. In 2016, he was promoted to the main Red Bull team. He made quite a statement with a victory on his debut with Red Bull Racing. The next year, in 2017, Max Verstappen sat down for an interview with Exact, named Inside the Workshop.
Max Verstappen Sees Every Driver As An Opponent
After a short chat regarding how a lot of people Verstappen knew from his karting days are slowly making their way into Formula 1, the Dutchman was asked if these old acquaintances can be his friends. He was asked if ‘every opponent is just an opponent’
Verstappen replied, “You have few friends on the track. Away from the track everyone can be friends, but on the track you have respect, but no friends.” His ultra-competitive nature could be seen completely as he made it very clear that he was not the type of driver who would think about friendships while racing.
Slowly, over the years, Verstappen did evolve a friendship with a few drivers on the grid. He revealed in an interview with The Daily Mail that he considers McLaren driver Lando Norris as his best friend on the grid. The pair of them knew each other from the karting days and Max Verstappen said, “I get on really well with Lando because he is just himself and normal. He is my best friend on the grid. He loves what he is doing.”
Verstappen hasn’t changed his approach
From a 17-year-old prodigy who entered the sport with everything to prove, to a two-time world champion gunning for his third title. Max Verstappen has definitely come a long way in the last six to seven years. However, one thing that has not changed is his attitude towards racing.
Max Verstappen still drives with the same philosophy that he had mentioned in his interview. He views everyone as an opponent. And even though that has helped him achieve two world championship titles, it has also got him into trouble.
The latest example of this would be during the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix when he refused to let his teammate Checo Perez pass him. Even though Verstappen had already secured his world title, he wanted to finish as high as he could. When the team ordered him to let Checo Perez pass, he simply refused. Whether this attitude will do him more harm or good, is yet to be seen.
