Monday, 23 May 2016

Verstappen: Important not to lose touch of the ground

MyF1World

MONTMELO, SPAIN - MAY 15: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing with his trophy after winning his first F1 race during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 15, 2016 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // P-20160515-01394 // Usage for editorial use only // Please go to http://ift.tt/19vsCqi for further information. //

Teenager Max Verstappen is sure becoming Formula 1’s youngest ever grand prix winner will not go to his head.

Hot on the heels of entering the category as the world’s first 17-year-old grand prix driver last year, the Dutch sensation broke through for victory in Barcelona — mere days after being promoted to Red Bull’s top F1 team.

Verstappen has admitted he has spent the week since then trying to take it all in, including watching the replay of the race commentated in his native Dutch.

“The commentator was crying,” he exclaimed to Algemeen Dagblad newspaper. “I still get goose bumps when I see it.”

He said he is not the type to get “emotional very easily”, but admitted he was holding back tears on the podium, and admitted, “I did it.”

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Verstappen also admitted it has been impossible to ignore all the hype triggered by his Spanish grand prix triumph, “Today it’s all a bit crazy, but it’s very important not to lose touch of the ground. My father and my manager help me with that.”

Verstappen is now moving on to the Monaco grand prix, where last year he shone for Toro Rosso until a huge rear-end smash sent him into the barriers, “That won’t happen again. I’ve learned my lesson.”

Instead, he is targeting his next podium, acknowledging that although Red Bull is expecting to shine on the Principality’s streets, “I was a bit lucky” in Spain he admitted.

“I feel really at home around Monaco,” Verstappen is quoted by the Daily Star. “I love street circuits. Sure, it is difficult to overtake here as I found out last year when I tried and hit the wall. But that won’t put me off trying my best for another win or at least a place on the podium.”


Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247

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