Max Verstappen Reveals Surprising Google Maps Factor in Preparing for F1 Races

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has found a unique solution to avoid taking long track walks in F1.

Max Verstappen Reveals Surprising Google Maps Factor in Preparing for F1 Races

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Formula 1 is a global sport with two dozen races on the calendar. The sport travels to several countries across five different continents to race on various tracks. Usually, F1 drivers do a track walk before the start of a weekend. However, Max Verstappen has now revealed how Google Maps is his preferred option.

A track walk allows drivers to get familiar with a circuit’s characteristics, be it the braking zones, or even tight corners. This has become a tradition in Formula 1 with drivers and their crew walking across a track every weekend. Though, it seems like Max Verstappen has found a way to avoid this process.

The reigning world champion claimed that he starts preparing for a new track even before the weekend begins. Max Verstappen takes a look at onboards from past races online to better visualize the circuit. Once he is done with such footage, he opens Google Maps.

So, if I would come to a new track, first thing what I would do is, of course, you look at onboards. Whatever you can find.

Max Verstappen said in a promotional Ford video

Max Verstappen claimed fhat is able to easily visualize the circuit after using Google Maps. The Dutchman didn’t specify if he used the street view feature of the app, which allows for a first-person perspective of any location. Nevertheless, the Red Bull star’s method to learn a new track is indeed quite innovative.

What I actually also like to do is look at Google Maps sometimes. So you just have it in your head.

Max Verstappen stated

Max Verstappen slams ‘boring’ F1 track walks

It is unusual for a driver to completely avoid track walks. Be it a champion like Lewis Hamilton or a rookie like Kimi Antonelli, track walks have become a routine in the sport. But for Max Verstappen, this does not matter. The Dutch driver has better ways of familiarizing himself with the circuit.

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull Content Pool)
Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull Content Pool)

The four-time world champion asserted that he has completely stopped doing track walks unless there’s an entirely new circuit on the calendar. Verstappen claimed that his first out-lap of any track can act as a track walk as he drives slowly enough to understand the circuit.

I never do it anymore. Only if the track is very, like, completely new, I might do it. But I always say my out-lap is my track walk, because you drive a bit slower.

Max Verstappen added

Moreover, Max Verstappen declared that he found track walks boring, as he would need to walk for as much as seven kilometers. On the other hand, it’s far more convenient for the 27-year-old to simply use other means.

I mean honestly, to walk for like five to seven kilometres, it’s just boring. I just prefer to do my out-lap a bit slower, look around and you’re like ‘Okay, yeah, that’s fine.’

Max Verstappen explained

Certainly, Max Verstappen is one of the most interesting individuals in the paddock. The Dutchman has found his own unique ways to get through a race weekend. As long as this brings him results on-track, no one even at Red Bull can complain over the lack of track walks by the 27-year-old.

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