Max expresses his ambitions at Exact Live
Published on 15 October 2015 by Mike Motilall
Max Verstappen was, last Wednesday, a very welcome guest at Exact Live, the biggest software event in the Netherlands, which took place in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. With big names on the podium, dozens of sessions, workshops and trainings, the event allowed some four thousand visitors to discover and achieve their ‘next big thing’. Max also addressed the crowd and was very clear regarding his ambitions, which are as big as the host of the event: Exact.
After Max made a spectacular entry, on a kart and leaving black skid marks on the pearly white carpet, the host, Humberto Tan, gave the Formula 1-driver a third degree. Are you accustomed to the fact that you make head turns when people see you? “I am just a regular person like anyone else. It makes no difference to me”, says Max. Do you still enjoy getting in a kart? “Yes, that’s always fun. Even when I am home after a GP-weekend, I try to kart.”
At the beginning of the year, there was a lot of skepticism, how did you deal with that? “Very relaxed. When you’re this young, you always get criticism. That’s with every sport. It’s up to you to prove yourself on the track.” Is overtaking a strong point of yours? “Well, it’s karting experience, a feeling and insight. It is very difficult to explain how I do it.” Do you have any youthful foolishness left? “In the early stages of your career, you want to showcase yourself. When you’re a multiple world champion, maybe there won’t be that need. But even then, I think that you always give it your best shot and want to advance forward.”
Prior to everything, you had certain expectations, how do you look back at them now? "It’s always very difficult to determine an expectation. You are always dependent on your car, every season. Thankfully, I have a very good car. Of course we are lacking speed on the straights, but generally speaking, we are able to fight for points. And that’s always a good thing in your first campaign. Naturally, I am very happy with that.”
In what aspect have you shown the most progress this past year? “I think in everything, but most of all qualifying, I lacked experience in that. I did one year in Formula 3 but the other F1-drivers have all been a minimum of five years in motorsports. Even though you can go around a track extremely fast, experience still makes a lot of difference.” What do you think of others deeming you a future world champion? “That’s always nice to hear, because it means you’re doing a great job. But for me, at this moment, it’s more important to learn and gain a lot of experience. As said before, every F1-driver can do a very fast lap, but when you are driving at such a high level, experience will be the differentiator in winning championships.”
In what area do you want to improve yourself? “In all areas. Like understanding the tyres better. But also being able to judge the strategy from race to race. Earlier on, the team did that for me, as I was not as experienced. But the tables are turning now.” And, what is your ‘next big thing’? “My first dream has been fulfilled: getting into Formula 1. But it doesn’t stop there. You always want to grow and improve. My ultimate goal is to win the world championship.”
Have you made a timeline? “In Formula 1 it doesn’t work that way, you cannot really plan. The most important thing is doing well on track, by being fast and constant. And also being lucky to be in the right team at the right time. Then you’re able to win races and by doing so, you are able to compete for the championship.” Is that why you and Exact are such a good pair? “Yes, we both have the drive to keep improving and growing to reach the top”, Max concludes, but before leaving Humberto Tan, he is sure to do some donuts and leave with a lot of noise.
