In its anniversary year, FORMULE 1 Magazine closely followed Max Verstappen on his global journey across 24 stops. Eight editors and three columnists share a personal memory of him from 2024. This time, it’s Frank Woestenburg’s turn.
The Verstappens wear their hearts on their sleeves and are by no means actors. Good is good, bad is bad. And fucked is fucked…
Max Verstappen is no different from his father in this regard. On Sunday morning before the São Paulo GP, I see Max standing in the covered paddock. Steam is coming out of his ears. I hear terms like ‘bullshit’ and ‘ridiculous’ being thrown around, his eyes are spitting fire. In the qualification, which due to bad weather in the Brazilian metropolis was moved to Sunday morning, he has fallen victim to a dubious decision by the FIA stewards who are already not in his favor. As a result, he has to start the race from P17. He feels it as an injustice.
A little later, I sit down with his father, Jos. He already predicts it. ‘When Max is angry or provoked, watch out. It only makes him faster,’ is the gist of his story. A few hours later, the world looks very different. Max Verstappen has won the São Paulo GP by driving from P17 to P1 in the rain. A unique achievement. “I told you so, didn’t I?” Jos Verstappen says hours later with a broad smile. Indeed, good is good.
