Verstappen about split with trainer: "We have separated as good friends"

F1 News

29 February 2020 at 10:49

Max Verstappen has split with his trainer Jake Aliker. The Dutchman has already found a new trainer for the 2020 Formula 1 season, and he says he is liking the change. 

Stopped collaboration

Verstappen says in conversation with Olav Mol at Ziggo Sport about the stopped cooperation: "He no longer wanted to do the races, but only wanted to work from the outside. Then I would have to work with two trainers, but I didn't want that. That wouldn't make sense That is why we separated as good friends after five years."

Verstappen has now received a new trainer who trains him both during Grand Prix weekends and outside the races. "I now have a new trainer, with whom I can build a good relationship," Verstappen continues. 

On his website Verstappen.nl, the Dutchman says: "He received the champagne bottle from the podium in Abu Dhabi last year, where I came in second. It was our last competition together and to also achieve a podium was super."

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss

Every trainer uses his own vision of the schedules and therefore the program differs somewhat from what Jake applied. "Different exercises are a bit different now, but in general you have to train the same things, so you can't vary that much. Over the years you know what you like and don't like, how you want to train and where you want train," he adds. 

"It is easier to adjust with a new trainer than with a trainer that you have worked with for a couple of years. If I adjusted everything that I don't like, then there will remain not much left. Sometimes you have to give up a bit, but that is part of it."