Inside Max Verstappen’s race preparation as Red Bull star dominates Hamilton and Leclerc | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen has lifted the lid on his pre-race preparations in a behind-the-scenes look into the Red Bull garage. A video released by Verstappen shows the Dutchman going through reaction tests, exercises and debriefs before stepping into the car.
It gives an insight into how the 25-year-old gets into race-winning mode, having beaten Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in recent seasons.
The footage was taken at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Verstappen secured P2 behind team-mate Sergio Perez. The reigning champion starts off with a reaction test using an innovative Blazepod system.
The tool lights up different buttons with drivers timed on how quickly they can hit each one. The device is used by many drivers on the grid including Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly.
Next come the exercises with the Red Bull star using a series of resistance bands to stretch out his arms and shoulders. While getting warmed up, he also watches World Endurance Championship racing from Spa-Francorchamps on his tablet.
Mid-exercising, he spots Renger Van der Zande’s heavy shunt at Eau Rouge, shouting “oooh f***” The resistance bands are then tightened around Verstappen’s head to simulate the intense G-forces drivers will feel behind the wheel.
The Netherlands native is asked to repeatedly turn his head in different directions to make sure his next muscles are warmed up. Drivers can reach forces of up to 5G in braking zones while Verstappen suffered a staggering 51G shunt with Hamilton at Silverstone in 2021.
Without proper training, drivers would risk suffering whiplash, making this one of the most important parts of the pre-race routine. However, the basic exercises are a far cry from Verstappen’s usual tech-filled routine away from the track.
He has been spotted using a series of tools to help keep in shape including an Isomed Steering wheel, neck dynamometer and wattbike. But Verstappen has previously admitted he is “lucky” becuse he doesn’t need to do much to stay in shape compared to many of his rivals.
He told JOE: “For me the most important is just the cardio. I do a lot of running, Everyone is built differently.
“Some people need to work out a lot and need to focus on their muscles to keep the muscle strength up. From my side, I think I’m a little bit lucky that I don’t need to focus too much on that. Of course, I’m doing these workouts but if I don’t do that for like a week I’m not losing a lot of strength.”
After preparing in his motorhome, the Red Bull driver heads over to the garage where music is blaring out in a party atmosphere for Helmut Marko’s birthday.
Posing for some snaps, Verstappen is then asked to complete pre-race weight checks before a series of talks with his engineers.
As it gets closer to the start of the race, Verstappen dons his fireproof balaclava and helmet and jumps in the car with the help of his engineers.
