Where did he learned that?

There’s been a lot of talk about Sim Racing and how much he enjoys spending his free time on it. But let’s be clear: if Max Verstappen captivated his fans on Sunday—and even made those who don’t usually root for him sit up and take notice—it’s because he’s spent countless hours driving in the rain back in his karting days.

Whether or not one approves of the coaching methods of his father, Jos ("stay out there until your hands freeze; when you come back to the pits, put them on the exhaust until your gloves nearly melt, then go back on track"), all those rainy training sessions made a significant difference in Max’s development as a driver. Let’s not forget that he grew up in a place where it rains quite a lot, all year round. This continuous exposure has been a crucial part of Max's formation as a champion, as shown in the three-part documentary Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion. Max himself mentioned a while ago, “I think it rains a bit more where we’re from than in other places. You go to the track, you train, you get more comfortable, and you hone your skills to improve. I think you can learn from this experience and, of course, evolve and become even better. And you use it to your advantage.”

 

So, hats off to Max and to all drivers who bring out that something extra in the rain, which only a few possess. Are you one of those karting drivers who prays for a wet track on Sundays?