Martin Brundle explains why he loves talking to Max Verstappen so much during interviews

Follow us on Google Discover

Martin Brundle has had many deep and insightful conversations with Formula 1 drivers over the years, but for him, Max Verstappen stands out as one of the best to talk to.

Since joining the sport in 2015 with Toro Rosso, it was evident how talented the Dutchman was. This is proven by the fact that he was just 17 years old when he joined the sport and was promoted to Red Bull after just four races of 2016.

Winning on his debut with the Milton Keynes-based team at the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen has gone on to win 62 races, grab 111 podiums and three consecutive titles from 2021 to 2023 to put him among the greats in the sport.

The Dutchman is on course to make it four titles in a row after his victory at the chaotic Sao Paulo Grand Prix after starting 17th on the grid. Eddie Jordan compared Verstappen’s ‘off the scale’ performance to Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, further cementing him as one of the best drivers in the history books.

A fourth title would put Verstappen alongside Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel – the latter having won his fourth championships consecutively with Red Bull – and would become the second driver in a row to take the F1 crown four times on the bounce after Lewis Hamilton in 2017-2020.

Martin Brundle finds Max Verstappen ‘so grounded’ when talking with him at race weekends

Known for his aggressive driving style, Verstappen has been known to have a explosive temperament off the track. He was given the FIA equivalent of community style after he used a swear word to describe the performance of his RB20 at the Singapore Grand Prix.

But for Martin Brundle, the Dutchman is one of his favourite to talk to, as he discussed on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Brundle gets the chance to speak to many drivers and key figures around the paddock and the starting grid before a race, providing great insight and moments to the UK coverage of F1.

Of all the drivers he has spoken to, Verstappen stands out to Brundle as he is ‘so grounded’ when speaking one-on-one with him.

“I like Max, talking to Max. I find him very grounded and very straightforward. I like them all to be honest. I’ve got so much respect for them,” he said.

Max Verstappen has one hand on his fourth world title heading into Las Vegas

With Verstappen’s sensational victory at Sao Paulo, the 27-year-old now holds a 62-point lead over his rival Lando Norris heading into the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s eighth win of the season last time out means that he has to leave the next race with a 60-point lead over the McLaren driver to confirm the title, giving him the simple-sounding task of beating Norris in the race.

The performance of the McLaren, and even the Ferrari, has been clearly ahead of the Red Bull in the last few years, but Norris failed to capitalise on Verstappen’s penalty in the Sao Paulo GP after he took pole position.

Losing the lead to George Russell off the start, the Brit made several mistakes after the restart that ultimately left him sixth and his title hopes seemingly all but over. David Coulthard says that Norris must learn Verstappen’s winning attitude to become world champion, as he stresses that McLaren and the 24-year-old will be stronger next season.