Do you know what Michael Schumacher means in Dutch? Max Verstappen!
The Formula 1 driver is currently leading the championship standings after nine races and is on his way to not only interrupting Lewis Hamilton (36 )’s title series after four consecutive world championships, but perhaps even ending it entirely . The 23-year-old Verstappen not only triggers fan euphoria in his home country of Holland, which is reminiscent of the beginning of the Schumacher era in Germany in the nineties.
No wonder: Verstappen is already revered in the Netherlands like football legend Johan Cruyff († 68). Both stand for a lot of feeling in the foot, but for the first time Verstappen can make possible what the whole of Holland has been waiting for, both in football and in Formula 1: to bring a World Cup title to the country!
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/legend-franz-beckenbauer-m–und-hollands-johann-cruyff-r–links-berti-vogts-2fa2c6e720784d95b510699544d84aab-77020600/ Image / 2.bild.jpg “/> Legends: Franz Beckenbauer (center) and Hollands Johan Cruyff (right). Left Berti VogtsFoto: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS
The great Cruyff and the soon-to-be-great Verstappen met personally in 2016, just under three weeks before the icon’s death. It was Cruyff’s wish, at that time already badly marked by lung cancer, to get another meeting with Max. Both got along wonderfully. Jos Verstappen (49): “We knew that Johan was already seriously ill. But we were all positive, laughed. When he said goodbye, he wished Max a great career. “Verstappen afterwards about Cruyff:” He doesn’t make things so complicated, I like that. I also try to just be straightforward. I’ve always been like that. “
Sure, direct – and damn fast. The logical consequence of a childhood in the Formula 1 paddock.
Already at the age of three, little Max was on the move between team trucks and garages, accompanied Papa Jos, who started in 107 races from 1994 to 2003, to many Grand Prix races. Max remembers: “For me the paddock was just a huge playground …”
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/jos-verstappen-r–im-gespraech-mit-hondas-masashi-yamamoto-5727880799134f6c8bda310765b286ac-77020604/Bild/2.bild.jpg “/> Jos Verstappen (r.) In conversation with Honda’s Masashi YamamotoFoto: Getty Images
Everything that drives inspires him. No matter whether on two or four wheels. If he falls down, he immediately climbs back on the seat and races on. If he plays with his game console, then, of course, only racing games.
Father Jos and mother Sophie, who used to be involved in karting too, recognized the talent early on and began to promote it professionally. Father Jos screwed Max’s first go-kart together, he had sucked the feeling for speed in his head and blood from the adventure in the garden at home. Papa Jos went to races all over Europe.
There are many anecdotes about this time in the Formula 1 paddock. Only a few of them are officially confirmed. What both Jos and Max would admit: The father was strict with his son, sometimes very strict. Little Max quickly understood that hard work and tears are the cobblestones on the way to the goal.
The goal was SUCCESS. In 2013, at the age of 16, Max won seven karting titles around the world. Also the kart world championship. The moment to put everything on one card. Verstappen dropped out of school and signed a professional contract with Red Bull six weeks before his 17th birthday in August 2014.
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/champagner-dusche-max-verstappen-l–mit-dr-helmut-marko-auf-dem-podium-von-spielberg-ee754e60a19a45c6918e0faf66c87a27 -77020608 / image / 2.image.jpg “/> Champagne shower! Max Verstappen (left) with Dr. Helmut Marko on the Spielberg podiumPhoto: Georg Hochmuth / dpa