This weekend, Max Verstappen is vying for his fifth Formula 1 world title. During the final race in Abu Dhabi, he will face off against rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Dutch sports fans will undoubtedly be glued to their screens during the various sessions at Yas Marina. Peter Bosz, head coach of Verstappen’s favourite club PSV, will not miss a moment of the title race.
In a conversation with De Telegraaf, Peter Bosz shared his perspective on Max Verstappen’s season over the past year. The coach prefers to watch alone, it seems. “Then I can focus on all the numbers and I want to see all the lap times,” he explained. “I’m completely in my own world. Sometimes matches or other appointments prevent me from following certain sessions, but I watch them later. And in the meantime, I don’t want to know anything about the results. I deliberately keep my phone in my pocket.”
Similarities between Verstappen and PSV
When Formula 1 is broadcast simultaneously with football, Verstappen even takes precedence at Peter Bosz’s home. Or at least: “The race is on the TV and I watch the football on my iPad on my lap.” He compared Verstappen’s current season, and his impressive rise in the championship, with PSV’s previous season in the Eredivisie. With five matches left, Ajax seemed the clear champion, but the Eindhoven team managed to make up a nine-point deficit at the last minute.
“Max was at a significant disadvantage, and his car wasn’t up to par,” the head coach recalled. “We had a similar situation last season. We were playing away against Feyenoord and were down 2-0 at halftime. Ajax could become champions if we lost. So, I can imagine they asked about our score just before their own match. We ended up winning 2-3 in the last minute. That’s quite a mental blow.” He concluded that the same thing happens in Formula 1: “I also look at the faces of Piastri and Norris. Somehow, you can sense their fear. Max, of course, senses it too. It’s still going to be very difficult, but he seems more relaxed. The other two are much more nervous.”
In a press conference leading up to the derby against SC Heerenveen, Peter Bosz once again discussed his passion for Formula 1 and Max Verstappen. He also jokingly applied for his own test session. “I think it would be fantastic to drive one of those cars myself,” he joked. “It’s absurd, but I always think that if I were allowed to drive, I would also win the race. I feel the same way about cycling: I think I stand a chance of winning the Tour de France. But in the meantime, I’ve become too old,” he concluded with a laugh.
