F1 Champion Verstappen: Mistakes Fuel My Success

Verstappen stresses the value of errors in his unwavering Formula 1 journey.

Max Verstappen is convinced that making mistakes is crucial for progress in Formula 1. The unpredictability of not knowing what will happen and how events will unfold serves as a way to learn the consequences of actions, and according to the Red Bull driver, nothing can be anticipated in advance.

“If you knew the future every time or had advice from the future, it would be extremely boring because it’s important to make mistakes,” Verstappen stated.

“It’s significant not to know what lies ahead, or how you will be in the future, what you will achieve or not. Many people visit fortune tellers—I don’t believe in such things, forget it. I don’t want to know, I’m not interested.”

The three-time world champion admits that media engagements are what he finds the most challenging in Formula 1: “I try not to devote too much energy to it. I know it’s also part of Formula 1, so for some things, you say ‘okay, whatever, these things need to be done’.”

“Every weekend is the same, which of course makes things easier because you’re always talking about the same things. All weekends look alike, which simplifies matters, as we are always discussing the same topics.”

“In my mind, I am already thinking about other things. You reduce your mental activity to the point where you can think about other things. I set my brain activity to 1% to make time pass a bit faster,” Verstappen explains.

“It’s quite repetitive in a way. I think I would struggle much more if suddenly people started asking new and different questions that you’re not prepared for.”

“It would probably become a bit more tiring, but most of the time, when I’m involved in interviews or other activities, I can already answer before even hearing the question.”

Verstappen faced significant criticism early in his career but wouldn’t do anything differently, as he learns from his mistakes: “I want to live my life. I don’t want to know that I’ll die in 30 years or anything like that. I just want to live my life, have fun, and enjoy it.”

“But also, at some point, I want to stop and do other things. Not knowing what awaits you, feeling it, experiencing it—that’s everything. That’s why I wouldn’t say anything to my 17-year-old self. Just start over.”