Young Verstappen’s makeshift stretcher night and his Miami GP goal

Ten years after Max Verstappen’s first Formula 1 practice at Interlagos, his manager Raymond Vermeulen still laughs about the night the rookie slept on a makeshift stretcher in a cramped São Paulo hotel. The story underscores the humble start that shaped a future four‑time champion, and it arrives as Verstappen eyes a crucial Miami Grand Prix after a key Silverstone test.

Why it matters:

• Shows how early‑career hardship can forge a champion’s work ethic and focus.
• Highlights the close‑knit support of father Jos and manager Vermeulen, essential under tight budgets.
• Humanizes a driver often seen only for his on‑track dominance, reminding fans of his modest origins.

The details:

• In 2014 the team booked a single room at Hotel Transamérica for Max, his dad Jos and manager Raymond due to a tight budget.
• Max slept on a makeshift stretcher at the foot of the bed while the adults shared the main mattress.
• After Jos and Vermeulen returned from a late drink, their noise woke Max; he asked, “Dad, can we keep it down? I have to drive tomorrow.”
• Vermeulen replied, “Don’t whine, everything will be fine,” showing the pragmatic camaraderie that helped the rookie focus.
• The next‑day training saw Max qualify 14th, proving the restless night didn’t dent his poise under pressure.

What's next:

• Verstappen heads to Miami hoping the RB22’s Silverstone updates will narrow the gap to the front‑running cars.
• Red Bull used the April break for aerodynamic tweaks and power‑unit mapping to boost race‑pace in Florida.
• A strong Miami result could mark the start of a new competitive phase for the Dutch driver in the 2026 title fight.