Max Verstappen F1 News: Insider reveals SHOCKING impression of Red Bull star

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Verstappen insider reveals SHOCKING impression of F1 champion

Max Verstappen is on track to earn his fourth world title

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 16 November 2024 14:57 Updated: 16:29

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The director behind several documentaries about Max Verstappen has revealed what shocked him most about the reigning Formula 1 champion.

Verstappen is on track to win his fourth consecutive world title, which would see him equal the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost whilst still only being 27-years-old.

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Drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have proven that F1 stars can still be successful beyond the success of their former years, with Verstappen realistically having a whole decade ahead of him to achieve further championship success should he wish to pursue it.

However, the champion has frequently declared that he does not want to race in F1 forever, and would rather retire earlier than emulate his fellow champions.

Much has been written about Verstappen’s F1 future, with the Dutchman tipped to undergo a huge team switch in 2026 if Red Bull fail to deliver a race winning car.

Few teams on the grid would be capable of turning the champion down, who demonstrated why he is the best of his generation after storming through the field in the wet to take a spectacular Brazilian GP win.

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Detailing his relationship with Verstappen, documentary maker Nick Hoedeman told Motorsport.com: "We have a relationship that is based on trust and when I’m around he can speak freely."

"He's quite open-minded."

According to Hoedeman, with Verstappen, it is not his race-winning capabilities that define the champion, instead revealing what shocked him the most about the racing star having developed a unique insight into his personality through their work together.

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"The most surprising thing about Max is that he's just a normal boy," Hoedeman admitted.

"Everybody thinks he has the most extravagant life but he just likes being at home with his family and friends.

"Of course, he's in a private jet travelling the world, but deep down inside, he’s still that five-year-old boy who just loves to be in a racing car."

This insight into what makes Verstappen tick could further suggest his future will take him wherever he is allowed to race freely for enjoyment rather than having to adhere to rules and team politics that the Red Bull star has become so accustomed to in F1.

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

View full biography

F1 Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Fernando Alonso Sebastian Vettel Alain Prost