Max Verstappen on MotoGP “I try to Watch Every Race”
During a Red Bull event at its Hanger 7 facility, Red Bull Formula One ace Verstappen spoke about his passion for MotoGP
MotoGP and Formula One may not have joined forces under the Liberty Media umbrella just yet, but the pinnacle of motorcycle racing is still drawing admiring glances from the F1 World Champion.
During a Red Bull event at the Hanger 7 facility in Salzburg, four-time Formula One title winner Verstappen was joined by Ducati’s new factory MotoGP rider Marc Marquez. The talk show was streamed on the Servus TV website, and it allowed the two champions to reflect on their 2024 seasons, while also giving their thoughts on the flip side of motorsport.
During the show, Max Verstappen revealed that he’s an avid MotoGP fan, revealing how he likes to keep up with the races, even during his own F1 racing weekends.
“I’m a big MotoGP fan and I try to watch every race,” Verstappen said. “I even take my iPad to the circuits so I don’t miss anything.” The meeting of two high-profile champions came about through the pairs’ mutual sponsor Red Bull, although with Marquez now moving to the factory Ducati team, which has a deep-rooted partnership with Monster Energy, his collaboration with the energy drink maker will come to an end.
The ending of Marqeuz’ relationship with Red Bull might have swayed Verstappen slightly when asked who his pick of the MotoGP grid was, as he rather predictably picked the Spaniard sitting next to him. “Marc is a six-time MotoGP champion,” he said. “And although he will need some time to adapt to his new team, I am sure he will do very well. He is the best on the grid” he concluded.
Max isn’t the only F1 driver who is vocal about their love of MotoGP. And aside from the obvious one of Lewis Hamilton, who is reported to be in talks with KTM’s MotoGP team, Lando Norris is also a big MotoGP fan and follower of the VR46 team. On the current F1 grid though, it’s only Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso who are thought to have sampled MotoGP machinery, with the former at a high-profile Monster Energy event (which saw Valentino Rossi also drive Hamilton’s F1 car) and the latter at Motegi during the 2016 Honda Thanks Day.
When asked if he fancied trying out a MotoGP machine, Verstappen was cautious about throwing his helmet in the ring. “I would love to try it, but I think it would be more sensible to start with a Moto2 or a Moto3 bike before trying a MotoGP,” he said. “I would love to do it, but I understand the concerns of my team. For now, I will settle for enjoying it as a spectator.”
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
