Not every Max Verstappen is the same. In the Formula 1 world he has run the show for years, but he does the same in the theatre world. As a puppet maker and puppeteer, “the other” Max Verstappen has been pulling the strings for fifty years. Literally. “A childhood dream has come true.”
It has happened to many. The visitor who, in the hunt for Formula 1 merchandise, lands on a namesake website comes away disappointed. Not caps and shirts from Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, but an extensive gallery of the most varied string puppets. From hands, cats and elephants to Queen Máxima and Geert Wilders. Yes, really.
In the curious world of puppeteers Max Verstappen enjoys a reputation he has carefully built up over the years. Outside that circle he is less well known, but his name helps — thanks to the other Max Verstappen, who has by now far outstripped him in fame and recognition.
In the early phase of Verstappen’s racing career the puppeteer had to get used to having to share his name. “At first I didn’t like it; it felt as if my name had been taken. But that feeling has completely disappeared and now I actually have something special on top of it. I always tell people: I was the first Max Verstappen.”
‘Ice broken immediately’
And he regularly enjoys the benefits of the famous name. “When I, for example, go to an official body and make a joke about it, the ice is broken immediately.”
The two Max Verstappens have (so far) never met. Still, they know of each other. “I’ve once had a like from Max Verstappen on my Facebook page. So he apparently knows me. At least, that’s what I think. I can’t of course verify whether he did it himself or someone from his PR team, but I liked it.”
