Verstappen after the qualifying in Monaco

Verstappen shares rare moment when he came 'very close to crying' after this race

12:30, 21 Jun

Updated: 15:40, 21 Jun

byTobia Elia

Among the many feats achieved in his career so far, Max Verstappen’s very first Formula 1 victory — at just 18 years old and in his debut race for Red Bull — remains an indelible and unforgettable memory to this day.

A first Formula 1 win is, rightly, unforgettable and always emotional — even for a “cold-blooded” driver like Max Verstappen, who rarely shows vulnerability.

His first win came in 2016, when the young Dutchman stepped in for Daniil Kvyat at Milton Keynes, immediately proving his talent—albeit helped by the retirement of both Mercedes cars.

When asked by Formula 1 Magazine to rank personal top three F1 moments, Verstappen didn't have to think long about his number one: “Barcelona 2016 of course.''

“My first Formula 1 victory, in my first race for Red Bull. My most cherished memory of that weekend is the moment on the podium, looking down, seeing my father and Raymond stand there, and realizing: We did it! Because this was always the dream. I also remember that I didn't sleep much the night after the race. I had a bit too much water (laughs).”

The victory came as a surprise, Verstappen admits. Under pressure following his rapid promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, he hadn’t yet fully adapted to his new team. Yet, he seized the opportunity when Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collided and retired in the opening laps of the race.

Verstappen was 'very close to crying'

Max Verstappen also won the Spanish Grand Prix in 2024.

“I did not expected that victory at all,” Verstappen added. “I was new to the team and there had been some criticism of my promotion to Red Bull beforehand, because people thought it was all too soon''.

''I was very emotional shortly after the race. By nature, I'm not an emotional type, but what I felt after the race was very close to crying.”

In the same interview, Verstappen recalled another career highlight: the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he clinched his first world title after a fierce battle with Lewis Hamilton. However, he said he doesn’t need to relive that moment—fearing he might have a heart attack if he did.