Verstappen's former coach reveals emotional farewell from the Dutchman: 'First time I saw him like that'

Max Verstappen's former personal trainer, Bradley Scanes, has spoken about the emotional farewell he shared with the Dutchman, saying that it was the "first time seeing him" emotional.

Scanes and Verstappen worked together for four seasons, with the Brit deciding to move on from his role after the 2023 season.

Verstappen's coach and physio decided during the summer break that he would stop in his previous role, but it ended up taking him a while to tell the Red Bull Racing driver. The Brit didn't want to be a distraction for the Dutchman while he was busy clinching his third world title.

Max Verstappen during his Belgian Grand Prix victory in 2023, a season that saw him and Red Bull smash several records

Emotional farewell between Verstappen and Scanes

Eventually, it took three or four races after Verstappen won the championship before Scanes broke the news, explaining the story on the High Performance podcast.

“I could see his demeanour change straight away. I think he kind of expected what was coming next. It's probably one of the first times I've seen him like this,” Scales explained.

"That was that, and we just decided to have a good end to the year and stay friends, which we still are. So yeah, it was hard. It was definitely a lack of patience."

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Were there some tears when they parted ways came the next question. "Yeah, for sure," came the response from Scanes. "From both of us. Well, not full tears, but some welling up."

In Abu Dhabi, Verstappen and Scanes worked together for the last time. About this, the now former coach and physio of the Red Bull Racing driver said: “We're on the grid, getting ready like we normally would do. I give him his helmet, and he puts his helmet on. I give him his gloves.

"We do our normal, you know, handshake. He turns around to go and get in the car. And he turns back, comes and gives me a hug. Literally before he gets in the car."