A former Red Bull mechanic has revealed what Max Verstappen is like behind the scenes, as the Dutchman continues his charge towards another world title.
The reigning four-time world champion has fought his way back into the championship battle during the second half of the season.
At one stage, Verstappen trailed Oscar Piastri by 104 points, with the Australian leading the standings for most of the year.
But the Red Bull driver has closed the gap to just 36 points behind new leader Lando Norris.
With four races remaining, including two sprint weekends, one of which takes place in Brazil, there are still plenty of points available.
Although Verstappen remains the outsider, few would bet against him joining Michael Schumacher as only the second driver in history to win five consecutive world titles.
Now, former Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas has opened up about what it was like to work alongside Verstappen.
Max Verstappen finished third at the Mexican Grand Prix (Image: Getty)
Speaking on The Line podcast, he said: “I’ve worked with a lot of great drivers. I don’t think I’ve ever met somebody that’s so driven, especially racing (side).
“Max is one of us. He loves racing, but I think what was special about him is that, especially in 2021, 22, 23, we saw Max get the best out of us.
“When you’ve got a guy that if you give him the equipment and you do your job well, he’s going to deliver.”
Nicholas went on to praise Verstappen’s historic 2023 season and the pressure of maintaining such success.
The Dutchman won a record-breaking 19 of the 22 races that year – a record most pundits don’t believe will ever be beaten.
“I especially remember 2023, when you’ve won every race apart from Singapore,” Nicholas added.
Max Verstappen in action (Image: Getty)
“When you’re in that thing of winning every race each race the pressure builds because in your role you don’t want to be that person that ends that streak.”
Nicholas also praised Verstappen’s mindset and the impact that had on the rest of the team.
He said: “What he created in the garage in terms of the atmosphere and the drive among all of us to do absolutely whatever it took to win.
“That’s really special.
“That’s what always stood out to me about Max was that mentality and the way it rubs off on everybody else around you.
“That’s always what I’ll say makes Max a little bit special.”
Verstappen will now turn his attention to this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, where he will aim to further close the gap in the Drivers’ Standings.
He heads to Sao Paulo full of confidence, having won at Interlagos for the previous two years.
