Max Verstappen

Maybe you should watch that video fast_ian posted today. Either you're wrong or they deserve and academy award

 

I have watched it, and suffice to say I don't agree that video shows I'm wrong lol..... realizing your ambition by proxy doesn't mean your kid HATES you from the get go... he just eventually does when he realizes what it cost him and when he breaks free of the shackles and is no longer 'afraid' of the disciplinarian.

 

and this change has occurred in the month or so since that video was shot?

 

Yes, there is that risk.

 

That was insightful, thanks for sharing.

 

Jos and his wife divorced several years ago, currently lives in Belgium. She's sometimes present during Max's races as well, the comming race in Monaco for instance.

 

Doesn't count for Jos and Max IMO, given all they've said and how they presented themselves in the media. Max seems more than happy with his faith and his dad.

And I guess to be the best these days in any sport takes a lot off effort and investment. Mostly time ofcourse, from parents as well.

Difference ofcourse and as Ian rightfully said, in motorsport you need a lot of funds as well. And in case of Max having a dad that has all the first hand knowledge, connections and lifed it all, is an even bigger plus. Can only mean a lot of talent is waisted to motorsport, most of them never even get in a kart/racecar.

Off topic but thinking about it, a good example of the above is Dutch/Tsjech tennisplayer R.Krajicek. His Tsjech dad had a similar role in his life as Jos in Max's but was even more demanding, more coach than parent. Subsequently Richard broke all contact once he reached a mature age only to be reunited years and years later. Brought him a Wimbledon title and a financially independant life but cost him most of his youth. World of tennis has lots of these stories.

 

In the 50s, Don Rodriguez de la Vega was a rich Mexican who had enormous ambition for his sons. Pedro and Ricardo started racing motorcycles in their early teens, and graduated to sport cars as soon as they reached 15.

Don Rodriguez bought them the latest Porsches or Ferraris to compete in Mexico and the States, creating a rivalry between the 2 brothers. He wanted one to be world champion.

Being a Ferrari customer, he took contact with the Commandatore, to have his youngest son race in F1, he looked more skilled than his elder brother Pedro. Ricardo became a F1 driver at 19 in 1962. He had sporadic drives at the Scuderia in late 61 and in 62.

When Ferrari decided not to race at his home GP at Mexico City, Don Rodriguez bought a drive for Ricardo to compete.
Rob Walker's obsolete Lotus was no match for the works cars, but qualified 2nd. Don Rodriguez wasn't happy and sent back his son to get the pole position. Spurred by his father, Ricardo went back, lost control in the Perralta corner and was killed in the crash.

The next year, Pedro Rodriguez moved to Europe to rebuild his career, far from the influence of his father. In later years, he said that had not his father told Ricardo to go back to the track to get the pole on that fateful day, his brother would probably still be alive. Ricardo wanted to do his best for his father, no matter what.

Pedro himself won a couple of GPs, and several endurance races, before dying at 32 in a crash at the Norising.

 

+1

Seems to me they have a truly great relationship.

I've read some doozies here over the years, but think this may be the best yet.

'Disciplinarian?' Really? Where did you ever get that impression? Supportive, encouraging, & able to help, as dads are meant to be.

'Shackles'? He's just become the youngest GP winner in history. Wish I could have been shackled thusly.

Nothing to do with any proxies. As I noted already, if Max didn't want to do it I'm pretty sure Jos wouldn't have forced him. Seems to me they've got a truly great relationship & are now enjoying the fruits of their hard work.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Great post, thank you. I've met a number of crew members and drivers over the years who knew Pedro back in the day. All of them speak of him with great affection.

 

Wasn't Pedro killed when his 917 was upside down and couldn't get because wing doors?

 

+1. Great stuff, thanks.

Cheers,
Ian

 

He was driving a Ferrari 512M and the footage I've seen shows him going heavily into the Norisring armco... The car remains upright and on fire...

T

 

Helluva fine driver.


Ian

 

Were you crewing for him ?

 

No. A little before my time.

Want to say I saw him in a 917 at Brands and/or Silverstone a *long* time ago!

Vague bells are also ringing about F5000 too. (?)

Cheers,
Ian

 

I was at Brands in 1970 - very wet!
Pedro was brilliant and led home several other Porkers by 3 or 4 laps if I recall.
It was so cold, our beer froze

 

I'm pretty sure that's the one!

Although, I was a little too young for beer back then.

Didn't Jackie Ickx also put on something of a demonstration? I recall him fishtailing from the exit of Paddock, down the hill & then up into Druids - Was epic, but may not have been the same year?

Cheers,
Ian
PS; Wasn't it *always* cold & wet there? We generally came in over the fence in the woods. Saved money, but the hike to reach the track resulted in *soaking* wet clothes!.... But we were young.....

 

Not surprised... It was the ice age

Boom tish

 

Arguably, back there, it still is!

Left laundry on the line when I lived in Silverstone too; everything stiff as a board in the morning.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

As if that would slow you down

 

What's your take of Max, is he better than Dan ?

 

Dumb question

 

Indeed.

Max isn't called Max for nothing.

The Verstappens planned it all.

He's the Max.

 

I think he is brilliant

Better than Daniel? Not sure. Time will tell.

Everyone is getting excited about one result and he certainly deserves the accolades for what he achieved last weekend.

However, DR showed him who was boss in Q3 and whether you agree or not, given the same strategy as Max, would probably have won.

As I said, time will tell - maybe DR will be at the Scuderia by then