Max Verstappen is the personification of ‘petrol head’. Now, you say other F1 drivers are also the same. Yes, they are, but you be the judge- will anyone drive in a sim race throughout the night before a Grand Prix race? Or will anyone test GP3 cars during breaks? Probably no one will take the risks and thrills of the odds. This makes Verstappen different from the rest. That’s not what we’re saying, but motorsport drivers are.

The Red Bull star has great respect for the other categories of racing. He also makes time to watch the events, despite the crazy schedule throughout the year. This strangely beautiful dedication to motorsport has impressed Formula E driver Oliver Rowland and former Red Bull driver Jean-Eric Vergne. Moreover, they’re surprised and stirred by the fact that Max Verstappen is a true all-rounder. He can drive all kinds of cars- making the three-time world champion a ‘complete’ driver.

Current and former drivers praised Max Verstappen for his unwavering devotion to motorsport

Former F2 champion Oliver Rowland currently drives in Formula E. His goal was F1, of course, but it didn’t take off, but his electric car racing career did. “Max… This guy can drive anything,” laughs Rowland in The Added Lap podcast. “He drives the simulator at night, drives Formula 1 during the day, and tests GT3 cars during his holidays,” Rowland continues. “There are a lot of good drivers. I think Leclerc is also exceptionally good, but what Max can…” Although Oliver Rowland never got the chance to go face-to-face with Verstappen on asphalt, they must have interacted in the paddocks of F1, when the former was a Renault reserve.

However, the two racing stars have met several times on virtual tracks. We know the ‘Flying Dutchman’ is a beast on the simulator as well. “His flexibility to race,” Rowland continues. “I’ve done virtual races with him, and the way he pushes is incredible. I respect him a lot,” says the Briton. The Formula E driver isn’t the only one who’s investing all his kind words for the F1 champ. A former Red Bull driver, Jean-Eric Vergne, also has some words of praise for his fellow ‘bull’.

Looks like Max Verstappen has been supportive of the Formula E racing event. Vergne points out: “The competition is very high. Some drivers don’t even know what they are talking about, others say nonsense about Formula E.” And every time Max says something good about F1, it feeds the people who ridicule electric car racing. But, “Max watches all the races he can and is friends with most of the drivers in this class,” says Vergne. “So it’s nice to hear these comments from Max. With all the races he’s seen and driven in the simulator, I think he understands quite well what we’re going through with these cars,” he concludes.

As we can see, ‘Mad Max’ is a huge motorsport enthusiast. He has not secluded himself from the boundaries of F1 but has gone far and beyond. From sim racing to expressing a desire for Le Mans, the 26-year-old has nothing but love and devotion for speed.

Jos Verstappen closes the door on his son’s dream to race alongside him in Le Mans

Back in 2019, Max Verstappen had expressed his interest in endurance racing. He also said that he would like to do so alongside his dad, Jos Verstappen. However, when discussed with the former F1 driver, Verstappen Sr., might consider taking up the endurance category once again, just for the sake of his son. Jos recently confirmed that he will not be joining Max in endurance racing, stating, “Let the young guys race at Le Mans; I find rallying much more exciting.” Jos had previously left the door open for a potential father-son team-up but has now shifted his focus exclusively to rallying, leaving Max to pursue Le Mans on his own in the future.

Despite being contracted with Red Bull until at least 2028, Max remains keen on endurance racing, particularly Le Mans. He has also highlighted the need for changes in the World Endurance Championship’s Balance of Performance (BOP) regulations – calling for adjustments in driver weight limits. Although Max sees Le Mans as an incredible event, he believes it’s still too early for him to participate under the current regulations.

Max Verstappen’s dedication not just to F1 but to all the other categories of motorsport is inspiring and praise-worthy. It’s rare to see such devotion, and this truly sets him apart. Moreover, owing to his flexibility, he could easily switch from F1 to a different category. Fans would enjoy that as well, don’t you think so?