Verstappen: Making mistakes in F1 less costly than in junior career

  • Published on 20 Jun 2019 09:42
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Max Verstappen believes it is better to make mistakes in Formula 1 and learn from them, rather than making the errors in the junior categories, which could cost a chance at a seat in F1.

Verstappen joined F1 in 2015 at just 17 years of age, and impressed many with his speed, despite the fact he had only one season in Formula 3 before making the move up.

MOREHonda to introduce its Spec 3 engine at French GP | Gasly excited for 'special' home race

Verstappen thinks that some of his early achievements were overlooked due to his youth and that some of his mistakes were judged too harshly.

“I only had one year of F3 experience, and of course you make some mistakes in Formula 1 which maybe other people did in juniors or whatever,” the Dutchman told RACER.

“But for me that’s fine. I prefer to be at the highest level and make the mistakes and learn from it, instead of being in the lower categories and then maybe some mistakes then can cost you your career in Formula 1.”

'Not much has changed' for Verstappen

Fast forward five years, Verstappen is currently leading the Red Bull team, having joined it in 2016 alongside Daniel Ricciardo.

Now partnered by Pierre Gasly, Verstappen has been performing consistently throughout the 2019 season, scoring fourth or higher at all races expect Canada (where he finished fifth).

But Verstappen doesn't think that much has changed from his side, and that he is working with the team the same way he was in 2018.

“For me not much has changed because for me the feedback I was giving already last year was the same as I’m doing now,” Verstappen stated.

“If it would be different then for sure I would be doing a bad job last year, that’s how I always approach it.

“Personally, I always feel like I can feel what the car is doing. For my age anyway, I’m very experienced at that because of working with my dad from a very young age, trying to give good feedback.

"So I never felt like it was a big pressure or anything to maybe step it up a bit within the team, because I felt like I was already giving the right information.”

Replies (1)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 11:39

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 11:39

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,161
  • Podiums 116
  • Grand Prix 218
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar