Miami Gardens, Florida – If you`re anticipating stress, panic, or typical racer obsession about emerging rivals from Max Verstappen, you`ll be waiting a long time. He simply isn`t behaving that way.
On a recent Friday morning, the 27-year-old, four-time reigning Formula 1 world champion entered the Miami Grand Prix paddock with the demeanor of someone entirely comfortable, not a multiple race winner or recent new father. Navigating through fans and photographers, there was no hint he had just welcomed a daughter. As he settled into an interview spot, you wouldn`t guess he was doing so amid speculation of unhappiness at Red Bull because he`s `only` won one out of five races this season and sits `only` third in the championship, behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – drivers touted as the sport`s youth, yet only two and three years his junior.
Instead, he looked like a man in his natural habitat, the garage, where he`s spent his entire life, but now viewing his situation with a broader perspective than ever before.
Regarding the chatter about Red Bull`s perceived dip in form, which had team boss Christian Horner visibly frustrated the day prior, Verstappen stated calmly and factually: “You just try to do the best you can. We are not the fastest team at the moment. We`re trying to be as competitive as we can be, but at the end of the day, it`s not going to change my life in any way.”
In the highly intense environment of the F1 grid, this understated approach from Red Bull`s leading driver is as perplexing to those around him as it is to the billions watching globally, many of whom believe they know the `real` Max (he suggests they don`t, and he remains indifferent to this).
Yet, even now, when dominating races isn`t as straightforward as it used to be, his manner, despite being often misunderstood, has unquestionably become more relaxed.
He described his approach with a slight shrug: “I come here, do the best I can, go home, do other stuff, then go to the next race, try to do the best I can and go home again. So, for me, there`s not a lot of extra pressure or whatever. When I`m at home, I`m not actively thinking, `Oh, like I`m P3 in the championship, I need to do something!` Or `What can I do?!` Like, true experience over the years, you know what to do and what not to do. And just divide your energy also, a bit into other things, which you know that are also part of your life. Because at the end of the day, Formula 1 is not your whole life. It`s just small part.”
The easy interpretation is that this newfound calmness is the effect of becoming a father this week with partner Kelly Piquet, welcoming daughter Lily. While that`s undoubtedly a factor, his competitors are aware that Verstappen`s cool temperament isn`t new, although they`ve observed an increased level of composure recently, a trend that seemed to accelerate even before Lily`s arrival.
Consider his reaction to a question subtly probing his future – how much longer will he race? Surely he won`t follow friend Fernando Alonso`s path, still competing at 43, nearing the 20th anniversary of his first title, right?
“No,” Verstappen replied, chuckling at the idea.
He clarified his position: “I have a contract until 2028, so for sure until then, after that, it also just depends a bit on what kind of projects are around or not, if it`s interesting or not. After winning my first championship [in 2021], everything that comes next is a bonus, and that`s really how I see it. I will do it as long as I enjoy it and I can relate myself to the sport how I want to. As long as I enjoy it, really, that`s it. Enjoy it. And, you know, finding it OK to leave the family behind.” Owning teams in other racing disciplines, he hinted at life beyond F1, emphasizing that everything post-2021 title feels like a bonus, and his continuation depends on enjoyment and life balance.
Another example is his willingness to praise championship rival Oscar Piastri, who recently turned 24 and has secured multiple wins this season. After finishing second to him in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen remarked about Piastri`s performance: “He`s in his third year, and he`s very solid. He`s very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track. He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes, and that`s what you need when you want to fight for a championship.”
For those unfamiliar with racing culture, praising a direct competitor in a title battle is far from typical. This shows a racer who, once the young disruptor challenging veterans, is now embracing the role of the seasoned pro himself.
Attempting to deflect the “wise old paddock sage” label, Verstappen explained his direct communication style: “When people ask me a question and I want to answer it, I`m going to answer it in my own way, and I`m always honest and open and quite direct, I guess. But that`s just how I am, you know.” He then continued, sounding very much like a veteran figure: “I have a lot of respect for the young guys that also came into the sport, and Oscar is doing a great job, and I don`t feel like you need to try and hide that. It`s not a weakness. And also, for me, it doesn`t matter if you talk positive or negative about a guy. Like, it`s not going to change how I approach my race weekend anyway, right? But you know, you can hand out credits when it`s due.” He feels respecting younger drivers` success isn`t a weakness and openly acknowledges skill where it`s earned, as it doesn`t impact his own focus.
As a successful young driver climbing the ranks, you remember those who were supportive, and perhaps more so, those who weren`t.
He noted, “You know, a lot of drivers that still are in a paddock or around the paddock, I think it`s nice, you know? When you build up a good relationship between the drivers.” He values positive relationships within the F1 community.
If this gives the impression of a sudden lack of competitive fire, think again. Hearing him speak, he still conveys the drive and focus expected of the third-winningest racer in Formula 1`s 75-year history, trailing only legends Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio in championship titles.
But critically, he now sounds like someone who has mastered something many in his demanding profession never achieve: work-life balance. A man we`ve watched mature publicly, determined to find that ideal personal setup just as he has perfected countless racing machine configurations over the years.
His final thought on this perspective shift: “I`ve been thinking about that already, for a long time.”
Rupert Caldwell