Max Verstappen has become known for his ability to read what is happening in a race, thanks to one test Jos Verstappen used to give him during his go-karting days.
This ability of Verstappen’s is what makes him one of the best drivers in the history of Formula 1. He is able to collect crucial information during races about the other drivers he is battling on track.
Alex Albon previously highlighted the trait of Verstappen’s, stating that the four-time world champion simply has ‘more mental capacity’ to retain the information and use it to his advantage during the heat of battle.
Martin Brundle also pinpointed the similarities between Verstappen and Michael Schumacher, highlighting his ‘win-at-all-costs’ mentality that has been a key factor in the Dutchman’s success since his introduction to F1 in 2015.
READ MORE: The best moments of Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1
Max Verstappen’s performance coach highlights the impact of Jos Verstappen’s go-kart tests
Speaking on an episode of the High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey, Verstappen’s Red Bull performance coach, Bradley Scanes, revealed the tests that Jos Verstappen used to put the young Max through to sharpen his awareness during his go-karting days.
“It’s a real flick of the switch,” Scanes started. “You hear him on the radio now, he’s watching the TV screens, seeing what’s going on in the race. He’s passing the pit wall, hears the engine of the Ferrari and asks: ‘Has the Ferrari just boxed?’ That’s how in tune he is at a race track.”
Scanes was then asked by Humphrey if the skill was a natural ability of the 27-year-old, or if it was something he had picked up over the years.
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images
The coach replied, “I think a bit of both. With him, it’s probably learned, you listen to some of the stories of his past, growing up with his father. His dad would send him out in a go-kart; his dad had changed something, and he’d give Max two laps to figure out what had changed.
“You see that now, he’ll drive out in the Red Bull, and he’ll be like ‘Did you change something on the left front?’ and it will be the smallest thing that has no impact on performance, but he would know.”
James Hinchcliffe identified another trait of Max Verstappen’s that F1 rivals can use to their advantage
Despite the extraordinary capacity that Verstappen has when going over 200mph under race conditions, James Hinchcliffe has identified Verstappen’s temper as a way for rivals to catch him out.
The former IndyCar driver and current SportsCar driver noted the differences between the Dutchman and Oscar Piastri, who shows a calm demeanour at all times, even when things are going against him in races.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s biggest penalties in Formula 1
A clear example of Verstappen’s temperament this season can be seen through his clash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Verstappen apologised to Russell for the incident, but the intentional clash was something that has no place in the sport, considering the frightening speeds that F1 cars are capable of.
The incident meant that Verstappen is now on the verge of a race ban. If he accumulates any more penalty points, he will find himself on the sidelines of a Grand Prix for the first time in his F1 career.