Ever since Max Verstappen entered the scene, Rico Verhoeven has become a dedicated follower of Formula 1. A unique friendship has blossomed between these two titans, one in the ring and the other on the track. “It’s incredibly beneficial to learn from each other’s experiences. But we also know how to have a good laugh together.”
Verhoeven (35) was not traditionally a Formula 1 fan, but Verstappen’s sporting successes sparked his interest. Their first encounter at a TAG Heuer commercial event revealed a shared wavelength, says the fighter born in Bergen op Zoom. “There was a connection. We had a great conversation and you can feel that immediately. We started running into each other more often and that’s how our friendship grew. We see each other regularly, at housewarmings, birthdays, those kinds of moments.”
– And occasional award ceremonies…
“Last year, I had the honor of presenting him with the pole position award in Zandvoort. And when he became world champion in Abu Dhabi in 2021, I was there too. Those are very special moments. We learn a lot from each other. I certainly learn a lot from him, haha. It’s great to be able to discuss a wide range of topics. How do you invest your money? How do you handle pressure? How do you deal with critical questions from the media? That kind of stuff. It’s incredibly beneficial to learn from each other’s experiences. But above all, we know how to have a good laugh together.”
‘Teams around us’
Verhoeven sees many similarities between himself and Verstappen, but he emphasizes that they – like many individual athletes – can only shine because of the people who support them in the background. “We are who we are because of the teams around us. Max is Max because his car is so good. And Rico is Rico, because my team always manages to prepare me for that one moment. But once in the ring, I have to do it myself, and the same goes for Max when the lights go out on Sunday afternoon.”
Handling the Intense Pressure of Performance
Verhoeven continues, discussing the intense pressure that comes with their professions. “We have to deliver every time. We have to seize the moment when it presents itself. That’s what I admired most about Max’s first world title, that race in Abu Dhabi. His start wasn’t great, but Max never lost hope that he could still become world champion. I found that really cool to see.”
Staying Hungry for Success
“Max and I are both killers,” Verhoeven continues. “When there’s an opportunity, you just have to grab it. You also have to stay hungry. Because everyone else is after you and wants your spot. The adrenaline Max feels before the start is probably the same as what I feel before a fight, one hundred percent. You get used to it over time. But if you no longer feel that tension, then it’s time to quit.”
Max’s Career Milestone
Max is now past the halfway point of his F1 career. The Dutch GP in Zandvoort was his 200th F1 race.
“Compared to me, Max is still young. He’s only 26, I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel for me. But I think it’s smart that Max is already thinking about life after F1. Because it does end at some point. However, as long as we enjoy what we do and the performances are good, we’ll just keep going. That applies to me and certainly to Max.”
Training Enthusiasm
Are you as much of a training beast as Max, who, for example, can’t get enough of ‘sim racing’?
“Of course, I love it. The sport, the training, the suffering. That’s the champions mindset. The obsession, it has to be palpable. It’s the only way. Otherwise, you won’t become a champion. I do find the physical part the hardest. Digging deep every time to get the most out of yourself. What I especially like about Max is that he has remained a very nice, ordinary, kind guy, regardless of his current status as a world star. And rightly so, of course, because we are just who we are. We are no different from others. We all wake up and brush our teeth.”
