Max Verstappen isn’t letting fan criticism get under his skin. After staying up until 3 a.m. for a sim race before the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 champ was quick to dismiss any suggestion that it impacted his performance.
Verstappen finished fifth at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which saw him battle frustration and a collision with Lewis Hamilton. His fans, however, were more concerned with his late-night sim racing session before the big race.
Critics speculated whether his hobby was affecting his Formula 1 results. Responding to the chatter, Verstappen said, “Racing till 3 a.m. is not something new and, for me, it’s something very important in my life.”
While Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko hinted that Verstappen agreed to cut back on late-night races, Verstappen clarified there’s no ban. “I don’t need to tell them what to do in their private time, and that’s the same for me,” he added.
Despite the noise, Verstappen pointed out past successes like winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix following a similar late-night session. “I’ve won three world championships, I think I know pretty well what I can and cannot do,” he noted.
Verstappen’s approach highlights a point: emphasizing personal routines and knowing what works best. He believes his extensive experience in Formula 1 offers him the clarity needed to balance his professional and personal life.
He chuckled at the idea that his sim racing impacted his performance in Hungary, attributing the criticism to the natural scrutiny that comes with not finishing first. “There are always things to make up that you can argue about when you’re not winning,” Verstappen said.
Max Verstappen is standing firm on his stance. Despite the fan backlash and comments from his team, he plans to continue his late-night sim racing. For him, it’s all about maintaining a balance that works and staying true to his passion.
