The Max Paradox, part 1

or, some holes I can't help but pick in the narrative

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I imagine this to be Max’s expression if he were to ever read this article. But he’s not my target audience.

There’s an ongoing narrative and talking point around Max Verstappen from media and pundits alike that Max “just doesn’t make any mistakes.” And that he “drives flawlessly.” Including from British journos and media, I’ll have you know. Some such comments add something to the conversation, but many are just vapid fawning.

From reading and listening around, we can see that some of these folks are likely being genuine in their fan boi comments. And for sure, Verstappen has had many great drives. The problem I have with this aforementioned narrative is that Verstappen isn’t the perfect driver the folklore claims he is. Then I started thinking a bit more about it. What are these comments achieving? Are those that speak them simply working hard to ensure that Verstappen, and by extension Red Bull Racing (RBR), will keep talking to them during interview time? We know the man who claims to not care about anything does hold his grudges. Perhaps they’ve drunk too much of the Horner coolaid and believe everything he says at face value? Are they desperately clinging to the belief that F1 is actually a sport more than dramatic entertainment?

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