Verstappen no fan of ‘fortune tellers’, embraces mistakes

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Three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has a unique perspective on the value of mistakes in Formula 1 and wouldn't give advice to his younger self even if he could.

Over the years, Verstappen has emerged as one of Grand Prix racing’s greatest drivers, blending raw talent and his blistering speed with relentless determination to dominate the sport’s current generation.

But the Dutchman’s entry into the sport with Red Bull almost ten years ago was often a chaotic affair, marked by errors and untimely misjudgments that were inevitable for an ambitious yet still-maturing young charger with big aspirations.

In a sport where precision and perfection are everything, Verstappen – now a seasoned competitor in F1 with over 200 races and 61 wins under his belt – sees the value of imperfection.

"If you knew the future every single time or advice from the future, that would be extremely boring, because it's important to make mistakes," Verstappen told Formula.hu.

Read also: Verstappen admits to ‘exciting times’ despite tough F1 competition

Verstappen's attitude clearly reflects his approach to life, one that’s refreshingly grounded in the here and now.

“It's important to not know what is out there in the future, or how you're going to be in the future, what you're going to achieve or not.

“A lot of people go to these fortune tellers - I don’t believe in that stuff, forget it. I don't want to know, I'm not interested.”

Verstappen's early aggression on track drew criticism, but through experience and reflection, he has evolved into a finely tuned and redoubtable weapon, both feared and revered by his rivals.

Even with all his success, the 26-year-old remains adamant that the journey is more important than the destination.

“I want to live my life,” he added. “I don't want to know that I die in 30 years, these kinds of things.

“I just want to live my life, I want to have fun. I want to enjoy this. But then also, at one point I want to stop and I want to do other stuff.

“Just not knowing what is out there for you, really feel it yourself, experience it yourself.

“That's why I wouldn't tell my 17-year-old self anything. Just do it again.”

In a world where athletes are often pressured to be perfect, Max Verstappen stands out as a reminder that the road to greatness is paved with mistakes. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

After all, what fun is life if you can’t spin out a few times along the way?

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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.