In its anniversary year, FORMULE 1 Magazine closely followed Max Verstappen on his global journey across 24 stops. Eight editors and three columnists share their most notable, personal memories of him in 2024. This time, it’s the turn of editor Noa de Ruijter.
Max Verstappen’s ability to drive fast has been proven time and again through impressive races over the years. This year, for instance, his brilliant overtaking race in São Paulo stood out. The Red Bull driver managed to race from the seventeenth place to victory in the rain. Another brilliant aspect of Verstappen is his delightful, dry humor. I witnessed how the newly crowned four-time world champion, shortly after clinching his title in Las Vegas, couldn’t resist teasing McLaren CEO Zak Brown in front of the cameras of Sky Sports.
The American had previously stated that ‘six or seven drivers’ could potentially become world champions in Verstappen’s Red Bull. The Dutchman has a good memory and therefore found it amusing to remind Brown of his criticism. “As you said before, I could only win in the fastest car,” Verstappen joked with Brown, who took the joke in good spirits.
That moment was not the end of Verstappen’s comedy club that evening. The world champion continued his jesting at Viaplay. “Hangover, Qatar, they sound a bit similar,” the Dutchman laughed, after the conversation turned to the festivities in Las Vegas. Christian Horner revealed earlier in the season that Verstappen had learned from Daniel Ricciardo to enjoy the moment and not take life too seriously. In turn, the world champion, with his dry humor, teaches us to do the same.
