While the Formula 1 world is abuzz with daily developments and social media updates during the off-season, Max Verstappen, the triple world champion, has revealed his intention to unplug and embrace a different rhythm during the break.
Verstappen, known for his unassuming presence on social media and his steely focus on the track, candidly admitted his disinterest in following every twist and turn in the F1 circus. In an exclusive interview with Dutch magazine Formule 1, the 26-year-old Red Bull driver discussed his approach to maintaining a private life.
His approach is not just a personal preference but a strategic shield against the slings and arrows of public scrutiny and critique. “But I also just feel like what I do in private is no one else’s business,” he states, emphasizing his desire for a private life detached from the prying eyes of the public.
This detachment, however, is not born of disinterest but a conscious choice. Verstappen’s method of staying updated, or rather, selectively uninformed, about the daily rumblings of Formula 1 news is an art in itself. He admits, “I consciously ignore a lot of Formula 1 news, then at a certain point it no longer appears in my timeline. Actually, I only follow other sports and athletes, also to gain a better balance in my life.” This approach, while unconventional, offers Verstappen a sanctuary of calm and focus, vital for someone whose life is a blur of high-speed races and constant travel.
The disconnect extends to his personal life as well. In Brazil, where he often visits his girlfriend’s family, including her father, Nelson Piquet, another legend of the F1 world, motorsport is rarely a topic of conversation. “Then we are really not talking about motorsport at all,” he shares. “He’s talked about that more than enough in his life.
“At a certain point you don’t feel like it anymore and you’ve stopped talking about it. I understand that – there is more to life.”
