“You have to believe in yourself”: Max Verstappen shares inspiring message for young drivers idolizing him (Exclusive)

Max Verstappen firmly believes that young drivers must ignite their raw talent with an unshakable self-belief to navigate the arduous road to Formula 1. In an exclusive conversation with Sportskeeda, the four-time world champion reflected on how his unwavering confidence has been the cornerstone of his remarkable success.

Elaborating on the pivotal role self-belief played in his journey, Verstappen recalled the defining moments that shaped his path. After securing his fourth title in Las Vegas, he emphasized the critical importance of mental resilience and tenacity, especially during the most grueling parts of the season when the Red Bull RB20 wasn’t delivering the expected results.

It was his steadfast belief in his abilities that propelled him forward, ensuring he always gave his absolute best, on and off the track. His team principal, Christian Horner, lauded the Dutchman’s leadership in keeping the team unified and motivated through the difficult patches of the season.

While Max Verstappen is often reticent about discussing the mental aspects of his sport, he opened up about the powerful influence of confidence in overcoming adversity. He stressed that for the rising generation of drivers, maintaining belief in themselves, even in the face of setbacks, is crucial. He emphasized that raw talent alone is not enough and that success in F1 demands a belief in one’s own potential and a determination to push through any obstacles.

Moreover, Verstappen advised younger drivers not to succumb to the pressure of having all the answers at a young age. Instead, he urged them to trust the process, knowing that relentless hard work, paired with unwavering self-belief, would eventually pay off. Surrounding themselves with the right mentors and support networks, he added, is just as important as the skills they develop behind the wheel, setting the foundation for their journey to the top of motorsport.

When asked how he hopes to inspire younger generations of drivers in fostering self-belief on their journey to F1, Max Verstappen responded:

“You have to believe in yourself first of all and there will be a lot of tough moments. Of course maybe sometimes it doesn’t look like you know it's happening or you know, it's not going the right way. But you need a lot of self-belief that you can do it. You need to believe you're the best one out there and that anything is possible; you have to work hard you know. You have to work hard on track off track, trying to always be, trying to be better basically. “

When further probed about whether this mindset is what it takes to give 100 percent on and off the track, he added:

“You need to have the right people of course around you know. They need to guide you as well when you're a young kid you cannot figure everything out by yourself.”

When asked to elaborate on how self-belief drove him to victory in 2024, Max Verstappen explained:

“In tough times it's easy to just throw in the towel, you know, and say, ‘Well, that's it, you know, our season is not going to be great’. But actually, then that's the moment we have to step up and you have to work together, you know, work hard to try and find solutions. And that's what we did.”

Verstappen also gave an insight into how he goes about handling criticism and said that it's crucial for him to not get 'run over' by the same.

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Max Verstappen discusses his approach to handling criticism throughout his career

Max Verstappen with the Formula 1 championship award during the FIA Awards 2024 - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen believes that the criticism he has faced over the years has never shaken his self-confidence or made him question his worth. The Dutchman approaches criticism head-on, addressing it directly when it crosses the line. While he often manages to shrug it off, there have been moments where his sharp retorts have grabbed headlines.

His relationship with the British media—and their perceived biases—has been a recurring theme throughout the 2024 season. Max Verstappen felt that some criticism has often deliberately aimed at stirring controversy or provoking a reaction. However, he prefers to respond with candid honesty, rather than sugar-coating his words.

Often nonchalant in the face of negativity, Max Verstappen portrays an air of indifference, making it seem like such remarks fail to rattle him. Yet, he acknowledges the importance of standing his ground and ensuring he is not taken for granted. For Verstappen, the balance lies in knowing when to let criticism roll off his back and when to push back to uphold his integrity firmly.

When asked about his approach to handling criticism and ensuring it doesn’t lead to self-doubt, Max Verstappen said:

“It's not about having self-doubt or whatever. When people are critical, I will speak my mind as well, they are critical, I'm going to say what I think of that. I don't let anyone take advantage or run over me or whatever. I speak my mind and if I'm not happy with something or I don't agree with something, I will tell the particular person or whoever.”

When asked whether his responses to criticism are accurately portrayed or fairly received, he said:

“Not always but I think that's also a bit you know to try and stir it all up. For me, you know, when people ask me a question most of the time I will give an answer and my honest opinion about it.”

In 2024, Max Verstappen faced praise and criticism as his aggressive racing style and refusal to back down often sparked public outcry and media debates. The four-time world champion temporarily silenced his critics with a dominant performance at the Brazilian GP.

However, scrutiny returned following a dramatic spin and collision with Oscar Piastri on the opening lap in Abu Dhabi. Unlike his contentious clashes with British drivers like Lando Norris or George Russell, Verstappen took responsibility for the incident, raising his hand and admitting fault, as he clarified to media outlets, including Sportskeeda, after the race.