Max reflects on his Euro F3 campaign
Published on 19 October 2014 by Stefan Meens
2014 should have been the year in which Max Verstappen would slowly ease into single seater racing after a successful career in world and European karting. Instead, the talented Dutchman, after three weeks in the Florida Winter Series, decided to contest one of the most competitive single seater series: the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Together with Van Amersfoort Racing, Max planned to make 2014 a year for learning. Their Euro F3 campaign would, however, evolve into far more than a 'making up the numbers' exercise. With ten victories, more than anyone else, Verstappen junior took the series by storm and ended his rookie season in motor sport in third overall.
“It's been an incredible season. If anyone had told me I would finish third in the standings with the most victories, I would've settled for that”, reveals the Red Bull Junior. “At the start of the season our aim was to learn as much as possible but after a while I just wasn’t satisfied with a third or second place whereas at the beginning of the year I was happy with a podium.”
The round at Spa-Francorchamps, in which Max went from P3 to P1 in a sensational manoeuvre during the third race, would prove a turning point. “My most memorable race was the third one at Spa. That was a fantastic race and I really enjoyed every moment of it.”
After scoring a hattrick of victories at the iconic Belgian track, Max continued his fine form with another hattrick, this time at the Norisring. With six wins in a row, the 17-year-old youngster proofed to be a serious title contender, making Esteban Ocon work hard for his championship win. “I managed to push Ocon throughout the season. However, the technical difficulties with the engine and electronics prevented us from really challenging for the title. As a team, we couldn’t do anything to prevent those issues, but that's part of motor racing and in the end I’m delighted with this season.”
After completing the European F3 campaign, one final F3 event is marked on Max' calendar: the Macau Grand Prix mid-November. “Street circuits suit me. Usually I’m pretty quick around them so I’m definitely travelling to Macau to fight for the win. That would be an awesome way to finish my F3 career.”
