F1 star Verstappen leads double life

Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull Racing teammate Max Verstappen is leading a double life.

Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen

Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull Racing teammate Max Verstappen enjoys playing the FIFA 17 video game. (AAP)

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen is leading a double life.

Most recognise the 19-year-old as a precocious Formula One driver, destined to one day be the world's best.

But there's another side to the Red Bull Racing teammate of Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

And it manifests in the soccer video game FIFA 17.

"I like to play the ultimate team option so you can buy players and select your own side," Verstappen said.

"They update the cards every week with new players so you try to buy them. And you get (virtual) coins for winning matches.

"I don't play the racing games.

"I play people all over the world at FIFA. And they wouldn't know it is me because my name is completely different online."

Verstappen made his F1 debut aged 17. A year later, he became the sport's youngest grand prix winner.

He also holds records for the youngest driver to claim grand prix points, and finish on the podium - a position he's eyeing again at the Australian Grand Prix.

"If I have the car, I can challenge for the title," Verstappen said.

"But will it be this year? I don't know yet.

"I try to play everything down and we will see what happens during the season.

"I don't think we are the strongest team. But I am pretty confident we can develop the car over the year.

"I don't set any expectations. I just jump in the car, enjoy myself and then we will see."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world