In 2014, a young Max Verstappen had his first go at driving in a Formula 1 weekend during the Japanese Grand Prix’s practice session. He was part of the Toro Rosso team back then. This event marked the beginning of a special connection between Verstappen and Japan.
Verstappen not only won three world championships using engines made by Honda, a Japanese brand, but he also won his second driver’s championship in 2022 at Suzuka. That race was confusing because of the rain, which affected the points awarded.
The story started in August 2014 when 16-year-old Verstappen, looking a bit shy and dressed in Austrian clothes, was announced as a Toro Rosso driver for 2015 on Red Bull’s Servus TV channel. This was a big surprise for many people in the racing world.
Red Bull’s advisor, Marko, remembered how everyone thought they were crazy for signing Verstappen. But Marko was convinced after watching Verstappen race in the Formula 3 season that year, especially during a wet race at the Norisring circuit in Germany.
Mercedes also wanted Verstappen, but they couldn’t guarantee him a seat in Formula 1 right away like Red Bull could with Toro Rosso. Verstappen, along with his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen, decided to go with Red Bull.
Verstappen started his intense preparation program at just 16 years old, doing private tests at Rockingham and Adria Raceway.
His first official drive in a Formula 1 car happened during a practice session in Japan when he was 17 years and 3 days old. It was a tough circuit to start with, but Red Bull wanted to see how Verstappen would handle it.
Verstappen’s session in Japan went well, despite his Toro Rosso car having some problems towards the end. He joked about the flames coming out of his car but said it was a good session in all. He remembered feeling the power of the car and how different it was from what he was used to.
Verstappen continued to impress in Brazil during another practice session. He had a moment where he almost crashed, but he managed to control the car and set his fastest time soon after.
Graham Watson, Toro Rosso’s team manager at the time, recalled how confident Verstappen was, even when things got tough. He knew then that Verstappen was something special.
Marko also believed Verstappen was a rare talent. His predictions about Verstappen turned out to be true and then some.
Now, ten years later, Verstappen is one of the top drivers in Formula 1. He’s won multiple races, set records, and is likely to win more championships in the future.
Reflecting on his journey, Verstappen said he hasn’t necessarily become much faster over the years, but he’s gained valuable experience that helps him handle different situations better.
As Verstappen returns to Suzuka for another race, where his F1 journey began, it’s clear that his debut in Japan all those years ago was just the start of something remarkable.
Also read: Max Verstappen’s Influence on the Dynamics of the Formula 1 Driver Market
