Formula 1 is about speed and strategy, but it’s also one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Drivers spend countless hours off the track strengthening their bodies – especially their necks – to withstand the brutal forces of racing. When it comes to training, Max Verstappen stands out, not because he loves it, but because he famously doesn’t.
Verstappen’s former trainer, Bradley Scanes, jokingly points out the Dutchman’s aversion to gym sessions, despite the sport’s demanding nature.
Max Verstappen’s reluctant relationship with fitness
The Dutchman always performs at the highest level when he’s behind the wheel. If there’s one thing Max Verstappen does best, it’s extracting every ounce of performance from both his car and himself.
Yet, it’s never been a secret that Verstappen dislikes working out, something he has openly admitted many times before. And about this, Scanes jokingly remarks: “>I worry about him after F1 is over.”
Still, when Verstappen is committed to his training, he – much like on track – extracts every ounce of performance:
“It’s common knowledge that [Verstappen] hates working out, but when we get into a workout, it was like ‘okay, I’m in. I’m all in and we’re going to get the best out of this workout and the most efficient time that we can.’”
That balance of reluctance and focus is what seemingly defines Max Verstappen’s approach. It’s about maximizing the outcome, a philosophy that mirrors the way he handles the chaos of Formula 1.
The mental edge that sets Max Verstappen apart
Max Verstappen already has four Formula 1 Championships under his belt, so no one needs reassurance that he’s champion material. But what truly differentiates the Red Bull driver isn’t just raw talent or physical preparation. It’s his mental strength.
Scanes points out that the same qualities that Verstappen shows in training – disliking the physical exertion but still extracting performance – also translate directly onto the track. A trait the former performance trainer has only seen in the Formula 1 champions he’s worked with.
“He could be messing around, playing on the phone, playing a bit of football… and then as soon as he gets into Engineering, bang, it’s like on it, data, racing lines. You know, stuff that I haven’t heard drivers talk about, certain feedback and stuff there.”
Scanes’ remarks only attest to the Dutchman’s flexibility, adaptability, and relentless drive for maximum performance. Max Verstappen may lack the enthusiasm for training, but his passion for racing far outweighs everything else. It’s that obsession with competing that makes him stand out from the rest.
