If he hadn’t been successful in his career in formula racing, Max Verstappen might even have pursued a career in MotoGP, as he now reveals.
Surprising statement from Max Verstappen! “If I could choose anything, let’s say if you couldn’t race on four wheels or race in general, I would say MotoGP,” said the four-time Formula 1 world champion a few days ago in an interview for the Pelas Pistas podcast, for which he sat in the studio with Gabriel Bortoleto.
When asked which racing series he loves the most, Verstappen answers without hesitation: “MotoGP,” but admits that active participation would not be so easy: “If I had the talent!”
The 28-year-old Dutchman was introduced to racing by his father, former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, and started karting at a very early age. But the young Verstappen also tried his hand at two-wheel racing.
“I rode these mini bikes when I was around eight to twelve years old,” recalls Max Verstappen. Although he “really enjoyed it,” the now four-time Formula 1 world champion “quickly realized that I had more talent on four wheels.”
Now, at the age of 28, Max Verstappen already holds several records in Formula 1. Among other things, he is the youngest race participant and the youngest race winner in the history of Grand Prix racing on four wheels.
Max Verstappen’s (current) Formula 1 records
Verstappen was 17 years and 166 days old when he made his Formula 1 debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. He was 17 years and 180 days old when he scored his first points at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. He was 18 years and 228 days old when he claimed his first victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, making him the youngest driver ever to finish on the podium.
But Max Verstappen holds several Formula 1 records, and not just in terms of age. He is also the record holder for the most wins in a season, with 19 in the 2023 season. Verstappen has even set the record for the most pole positions in a season (22) twice, in 2021 and again in 2023.
Max Verstappen is also the driver with the most consecutive Formula 1 victories, namely 10 between Miami 2023 and Monza 2023. In terms of the most consecutive pole positions, Verstappen is tied with record holder Ayrton Senna with 8 (Abu Dhabi 2023 to Imola 2024).
Max Verstappen describes his passion for MotoGP
Verstappen says of his love for the MotoGP scene: “I still enjoy watching MotoGP races. The guys are crazy, but in a positive way.” He even explains that motorcycle racing could have become his Plan B if things hadn’t worked out with formula racing: “Yes, if I hadn’t been successful with what I do on four wheels. You have to do something.”
Verstappen has demonstrated his love for motorcycle racing on several occasions. In an interview with ServusTV alongside seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, the four-time Formula 1 world champion confirmed: “I’m a big fan. I try to watch every race. I always have my iPad and everything with me at the track too.”
As for riding a MotoGP bike himself, Verstappen is well aware of the risks.
“Of course, I’d love to do it. But I think it might be better to start with a Moto3 or Moto2 bike first. Just riding MotoGP wouldn’t be possible, of course,” says the Red Bull Formula 1 star. In this respect, Lewis Hamilton is one step ahead of Max Verstappen.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has already tested a MotoGP bike. In December 2019, Hamilton rode Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha M1 in Valencia. It was the famous vehicle swap, when seven-time MotoGP world champion Rossi drove Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 W08 from the 2017 Formula 1 season.
