Forgive the play on words – but Formula One is on MAX-imum alert to the fast moving threat of a wonderboy.
He is teenager Max Emlian Verstappen, a sensation in the offing, who claimed a spectacular second place to reigning champion Lewis Hamilton last time out in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The Red Bull driver’s display – which included his daring overtake on championship leader Nico Rosberg on the outside, a bold move that took the Mercedes driver by surprise and stirred 140,000 spectators – has been hailed up and down the pit lane.
And Hamilton, rarely a racer to eagerly praise a rival, stresses the 18-year-old is a talent to be feared as his development, under the shrewd guidance of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, gathers momentum.
“Max is a force to be reckoned with – and that’s for sure,” says three-time champion Hamilton. “He is a real threat and I, and everybody else on the grid, will have to watch out for him. If he has a good car underneath him, he is able to put up a great fight.”
Verstappen, born in Belgium but claiming dual nationality as Dutch too, and racing under a Holland licence, heads into only his 30th grand prix start in Hungary this Sunday having been on the podium twice in successive races.
He is currently sixth in the championship on 90 points and Horner, who promoted him from Toro Rosso, is still raving enthusiastically about his Silverstone showcase, saying: “Max drove a fantastic race at the British Grand Prix.
“His bold overtaking move on Nico, going round the outside, right on the edge, was just terrific. It was the highlight of the race as far as I was concerned. The crowds too. They loved it. And no wonder.
“Lewis is right on. Max is getting better and stronger every grand prix. Who knows what’s to come? Even more I’d bet.”
Verstappen, who began kart racing at the age of four, is the son of former Dutch GP driver Jos. His father raced in 107 GPs without a win – and managed just three second places.
Max only made his debut in Australia last year, but has already topped his father’s career-best with a remarkable victory on his Red Bull debut in Spain earlier this season.
It was a signal, and a performance, to force F1 to sit up and take notice of the kid who was not old enough to take a road driving licence, but who has out-paced, out-lasted and out-thought world champions and regular campaigners like Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen and even Sebastian Vettel.
Equally his rise up the rankings – and reckoning – has not been without controversy as his youthful eagerness overtook any regard or respect for his rivals, notably a hit on Romain Grosjean in Monaco, and a rebuke from veteran Felipe Massa who condemned him as “dangerous”.
At 17 years and 166 days he was the youngest ever F1 driver. And the sport’s youngest victor with his Spanish first place.
His modesty in the light of his refreshing ability, the likelihood of his being crowned world champion before he is much older, and his intent on being a regular at the top of the F1 podium is a welcome attribute and he says: “I am enjoying myself. And I will always be going for a win. It is in my nature. It is what I most want.”
Last year, at this Sunday’s Hungarian venue, he registered his intent and underpinned ability with an inspired and inspiring fourth place ahead of Alonso and Hamilton.
Now he is only too ready to push himself to the MAX again.
