'Huge pressure now on Max', says Jos Verstappen

Jos Verstappen says the media and fan pressure on his 19-year-old son Max Verstappen is now huge.

Heralded as Formula 1's next superstar, Max Verstappen has taken it all in his stride up to now, under the guarded watch of father and former F1 driver Jos.

But the Red Bull Racing driver's exposure had notoriety has shot up massively in the past year, thanks to his success on the race track.

"Max can no longer go anywhere without being recognised," Jos told the Dutch broadcaster L1.

"He is really under a lot of pressure. The situation is no longer good for Max.

"His work is six and a half days a week and even that is getting very difficult. All this news coverage is not good for him," he added.

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While Verstappen the father is concerned, Verstappen the son remains calm and composed in the face of his growing fame.

"Of course I'm a concerned father, but luckily Max himself stays calm under all this pressure and media attention."

Verstappen Snr downplayed his son's chances of winning the title this year, admitting it was perhaps  a year too early for Max to realise such an achievement.

"Everyone is optimistic, but we try not to be too excited," said Jos.

"Ferrari is fast, Mercedes is also very fast, but we are also good. At the same time nobody knows -- everybody is trying to hold something back.

"For the world title I think it's a year too early. If Max wins a couple of races I would be more than satisfied. I expect 2018 will be Max's year if everything goes as it should."

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