Verstappen finally shows his emotions: 'Makes him more human'

Max Verstappen couldn't believe his luck after winning his very first world title. The images of an emotional Max and his father Jos will stay in fans memories for a long time. It's not often we see Verstappen show his emotions, sports journalist Barbara Barend thinks.

Verstappen shares little about private life

In the programme WNL Today It is about the victory of Verstappen, but especially about the way Verstappen reacted after winning the world title. According to Barend, we know very little about the man Verstappen. "Nowadays sportsmen and women give a glimpse of their lives on social media. From Lewis Hamilton we see everything he does, where he is and what he is doing. About Max, we actually know very little."

According to Barend, we, therefore, know very little about Verstappen's private life. "Even when you interview him, it's always about racing. That he shares a rare photo of his girlfriend Kelly Piquet is quite something. But you know little. I think that's also why you think: can I relate to him?"

Verstappen shows a human side

After winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, things were different according to Barend. "Yesterday you saw a human being of flesh and blood. Cheering, emotion, you saw him dancing with Martin Garrix. You see emotion. I think that until yesterday you always saw that stoic Max, who was busy with racing, and now suddenly you saw the human being. The joy, the sincere happiness, the thanks of his team, of his colleagues. I think that made him more human yesterday."

Tim Coronel is also a guest in the programme, who himself became emotional from the moment you saw Max and Jos sitting together after the race. "Of course as a sportsman, you are always very focused. You saw that in both his father and himself throughout the year. And then he crosses the finish line and you hear the screams and see him sitting with his father afterwards. Fair is fair, I also shed a few tears. They gave up their lives for this cause."