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Verstappen 'training to point of exhaustion'

Max Verstappen's father, former Formula One driver Jos, says that his son is training to the point of exhaustion every day in preparation for the new 2017 Formula One world championship season.

Verstappen is keenly aware that the drivers will be tougher to drive this year with the introduction of new downforce and tyre regulations, and that physical fitness will be crucial in any title bid.

"Max is completely exhausted every evening, sitting on the sofa. It's good," Jos Verstappen told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport Totaal. "He doesn't talk so much!

"Max is quiet, but I also feel his enthusiasm because I know how high the expectations at Red Bull Racing are."

Max Verstappen is 'absolutely ready' for the title

Jos confirmed that now his son had achieved his dream of making it into Formula One, he himself had stepped away and no longer felt the need to play the 'pushy parent' on his 19-year-old son's behalf.

"My big goal was always to bring Max to formula one," Jos said. "That's done. In the meantime, he has established himself as a top driver. My presence is simply not necessary."

"I know he is in very good hands with Red Bull. Everything is superbly organised. He certainly does not need me," he continued. "Clearly I carefully watch what is going on, but not more.

"Sure I miss Max," Jos admitted. "I recently talked to my daughter about it, that it's a bit strange that Max is not here. But he now has his own life in Monte Carlo and is extremely busy."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.