Max explains how he remains fit: “I work out twice a day”
Published on 14 March 2017 by Mike Motilall
In exactly twelve days Max Verstappen will be driving the first race of the new Formula 1-season. The cars have become quite faster this season, making it of utmost importance for Max to be in super shape. On Instagram we saw Max the past few months regularly working out with weights, but how has he exactly prepared himself for this season? On behalf of Metro, Annemerel de Jongh asked Max a few questions regarding this.
Why is it extra important for you to train so hard this season?
“The cars have become quite faster this year and are way heavier to drive, because your cornering speed is higher. That’s why it is so important that I am physically stronger than last year.”
Did you have trouble with your neck after the first practice in the new car?
“Yes, it actually always bothers me when I haven’t been in the car for two months. When you really start practicing, everything is not as flexible as it should be. But on the second day everything feels just fine.”
Who’s responsible for your training schedule?
“My personal trainer is responsible for my training schedule, he has been with me since late 2014. We have a good working relationship. My schedule is comparable to that of last year's, only the work outs are longer and heavier. Indeed, that is to better prepare me for the forces in the car.
How does your schedule look like?
“Every day I work out two times for three to four hours. In the morning often cardio and then in the afternoon a physical workout with weights. But I am not allowed to work out a lot with the weights, because then I’ll bulk up. So we kind of split the routine. And it also depends on what I did the day before. If your legs are hurting, you are not going to get on the bike the next day, then we have other options.”
Are there any other sports you do apart from Formula 1?
“During my work outs I cycle a lot. And for the rest, I don’t have that much time for other sports. But I really enjoy being in the water. So water skiing and wake boarding, those kinds of things I really like to do.”
Do those sports benefit you in any way?
“Yes, those sports help me relax. But they don’t really do anything for me regarding racing.”
I see you work out a lot in the gym, what is your favourite exercise and which one do you hate?
“My favourite exercise… well, I don’t really have one to be honest. The one I hate, those are the ones that really kill you. The ones where your heart rate races at 190 bpm and you almost cannot go on. Those are of course the tough ones, but that also is part of the game.”
Do you enjoy working out or do you need a little push sometimes to go to the gym?
“Well, if I was alone, then I would definitely not like it. But luckily I always have my personal trainer with me. So he pushes me as well.”
You obviously need to watch your diet, do you cook yourself or is that taken care of?
“Luckily my trainer can cook reasonably well, so I let him do his thing. Because I am not so good at it, so I don’t really mind.”
Do you have to weigh your food?
“Yes, most of it. We need to watch our weight of course, so they aren’t the most lavish of meals.”
Are there certain things you are not allowed to eat and things that are really important?
“I don’t eat that much bread. It makes you heavier and I can gain a lot very fast and lose a lot also. So I keep an eye on that. I also watch the ratio of my meat and veggies. When I have trained or been in the car, then I need a lot of energy, so I eat quite a substantial amount then. But on the days I don’t work out, I need to carefully watch my diet.”
When there is a party, is it always water or Red Bull? Or are you also allowed some alcohol?
“That depends a bit on where I am in the season. In general, I don’t drink during the season, so then it’s indeed water. Red Bull only before a practice or a race, when I am really going to use the energy. But off season, I can indeed have a drink at a party.”
Everyone wants to know what the expectations are for the coming season. To which race are you looking forward to or are all the races the same for you?
“Well, the races I am looking forward to are Spa and Austria, because there are a great many Dutch fans there. Even last year that was something special. At Spa last year, I had a very good qualifying, this year I hope I can finish the race well also.”
