Verstappen drifts into new territory with 'Mad Mike'!

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In a surprising twist of tyre smoke and sideways action, Max Verstappen recently ventured into the world of drift racing, leaving his precise F1 lines behind for a cloud of rubbery chaos.

Teaming up with drift maestro "Mad Mike" Whiddett, Verstappen swapped his surgical on-track finesse for a crash course in controlled chaos at the wheel of the latter's 600 horsepower MADBULL Mazda Rx-7

To kick things off, "Mad Mike" introduced Verstappen to the art of handling doughnuts, followed by mastering figure 8s, and culminating in executing a 'Scandi Flick', a move by which one hold a high-speed drift.

The learning curve proved to be steep, but the two-time F1 world champion – despite stalling on his RX-7 at the outset and messing up his first doughnut – swiftly adapted to the cornering techniques, allowing him to tear around the track enveloped in billowing tyre smoke.

Within a brief period, Max was able to showcase his control and drifting skills on a course that provided him with just the right incentive: a 100-metre arc consisting of ten cardboard cut-outs of Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner!

Each cut-out had a gigantic right hand which Mad Max had to clip with the rear end of the Mazda. How did it go? Well, you’ll have to watch the video to find out!

But Verstappen's course was a reminder that even the most disciplined racers can't resist the allure of a smoky, sideways adventure when handed a high-powered drift machine.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.