Verstappen's personality is starting to win more and more hearts

Max Verstappen hasn't always been portrayed in the best way. He has had a few issues with some media brands, specifically British ones. They tend to portray him as standoffish and as a driver who only cares about winning. They make him out to be a robot. For example, if you look at the Netflix show Drive to Survive, Verstappen is made out to be the villain while other drivers, such as Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton, are made to look like the "good guys". 

Those lucky enough to work behind the scenes in Formula 1 know this is not who Verstappen is. Verstappen is one of the few drivers who tries to connect with his fans. He tries to give autographs to everyone that he can. However, all the press seems to do is complain about him. They take the good things that he says and twist them. Even when they do that, he still takes time for the people who are 'just doing their job'.

Verstappen is easy to deal with. A huge security group is not blocking him from his fans or the media. He takes the time to say hello to everyone and always tries to take a picture with those who request it. Verstappen is much friendlier than people want to believe. 

How Verstappen is winning more and more hearts

That image of Verstappen seems to be shifting after his fourth-world title. This shift has resulted in the British media and fans writing positively about Verstappen. Not only are they writing about his sporting achievements but also about how he behaves. After his world title win, Verstappen took to the track again in front of everyone. Well past 03:00 local time, more than four hours after the end of the race.  Verstappen made time for the Dutch media even after his numerous interviews. Not because he had to but because he wanted to speak to the journalists who had travelled so far to see him. 

Max Verstappen spoke to everyone nicely, from press moments on the grid to press conferences, TV interviews, interviews with F1TV, and then the Dutch media. With each interview, Verstappen became more open. This might have been helped by his beer or the Gin Tonics he kept by his side. Whatever it was, it made him more open and friendlier. 

One interview stood out among the rest. It was an interview with Verstappen about his family. Because if anything is vital to Verstappen, it is his family and friends. Verstappen tends to not speak publically about those he is closest with. He usually keeps his life private, but after winning, he opens up. Verstappen is a son who wants to make time for his parents because they will no longer be there one day. His parent and sister are people who have done and left everything for Verstappen's career. Max has not forgotten how much they have done for him.

That human side of Verstappen has come out more and more over the years. Verstappen himself became more relaxed, but also at home. For instance, the part he plays in Penelope's, Kelly Piquet's daughter, life also melts many hearts. Despite how much people may want to, Verstappen makes it harder to hate him. 

This article was translated by Savannah Lenz.