Verstappen's Team Defends His Candid Take on Las Vegas F1 Show
Nov.18 - Max Verstappen's boss and manager both defended the triple world champion amid his bad mood in Las Vegas.
The Dutchman has been scathing of the "99 percent show, 1 percent sport" in the American casino capital.
And after finally completing the day's disrupted track action in the middle of the night with no spectators in the stands, he insisted: "I didn't have much fun today."
"I've driven better circuits in my life. I already said this yesterday and there's nothing new I've discovered," Verstappen said. "But we move on."
Former F1 driver and fellow Dutchman Giedo van der Garde said the 26-year-old Red Bull driver is simply frustrated with the artificial "show" aspects of the spectacle.
"All he wants to do is drive laps, win the race and go home," he said on Viaplay.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agrees: "He hates all the pomp and hype. He just wants to drive a racing car. He doesn't care about the fame and everything that comes with it.
"All these show business elements here just make him uncomfortable," he added.
Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen, meanwhile, admitted his driver is also exhausted at the end of a long season in which the title is already wrapped up.
"Max is pure, true to himself and he just says what he thinks," he told De Telegraaf. "I think we should cherish that someone of his stature is like that.
"Remember, these are still drivers, not actors. Max just feels very uncomfortable with all of this. And I also think that a lot of people - perhaps not everyone - appreciate his down-to-earth nature."
Manager Vermeulen continued: "I notice that Max's batteries are almost empty. And not just him but many people in the team.
"All the travelling and the time differences have an impact."
Vermeulen explained that Max flew from "Brazil to England" for simulator training, was in France on Friday for sponsor EA Sports, Switzerland on Saturday and on the way to Las Vegas on Monday "where the PR machine started on Tuesday morning".
"We come home on Monday and then another PR day awaits in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday in the run-up to the last race," the Red Bull driver's manager continued.
"After the race there will be trips to Tokyo for Honda, Amsterdam with Heineken, the FIA awards ceremony in Baku and an event with Red Bull in England. Then it's almost Christmas and on January 15 his trainer will be at the door again.
"That's not easy for a 26 year old boy," Vermeulen added. "It is true that he earns a lot of money from it, but it is not just about money."
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"Remember, these are still drivers, not actors, Well not quite correct , there are some who are wannabee actresses/popstars and the like, now I wonder who im referring too lol
Maxes way ,is a breath of fresh air in this crazy world we live , oh yeah and unlike someone else (Imo)
I can appreciate the willingness to speak one’s mind. However, hard to have any sympathy when you are paid that kind of fabulous salary plus lucrative endorsements. There’s a million business people out there shlepping around the world without complaint and without the personal handlers. Super rich guy whining about being too busy…don’t think so..
Brian, it's hard for we who do not have a gazillion dollars to understand that sometimes it is NOT about the money. Every one of these guys started out as a wide-eyed racing driver whose only goal was to drive a F1 car. Perhaps VER remains in that camp. If so, good on him.
I have to agree with ROR on this one. No amount of money can make you less tired. That travel schedule, coupled with the PR show and shine would make anyone tiered. 19 of the current drivers would still race for a fraction of the money they get. Most of them started out marking less than 100k in their rookie seasons, but they take it and are happy with the opportunity. The other driver already has 7 championships under his belt and is in the position where he is trying to maximize the $ before he is done, or so the rumours go at contract negotiation time.