Beyond The Finish Line

1(Behind the Champion's Mask)

♥♥♥

The track was loud , but for me, it felt like home , The engines roaring , the fans cheering ... it all mixed together into a sound I knew very well

Some people might feel stressed with so much noise, but not me ... For as long as I can remember , this is where I belong

Racing isn't just something I do ... it's who I am , I've won three Formula 1 championships , and to the world I'm unstoppable , That's how they see me .... a champion who never loses

After the race , when I finally get to my room , that's when I find some peace .... It's not that I don't like the noise ... I do , But in here , away from everyone, I can just be alone with my thoughts

The world out there thinks they know me , thinks they understand who I am ... They see me as cold , maybe a bit distant

maybe I am , but that's just how I've always been , I don't let people get too close ... There's no need for it .... I'm here to race , to win , and that's all that matters

I look at myself in the mirror , The guy staring back at me is the same guy everyone knows .... Max Verstappen the champion

But I know there's more behind those eyes .... People say I'm tough , maybe too tough , but that's what it takes to be the best

I don't regret any of it , The hard work , the sacrifices , they got me to where I am today ... I don't have time to feel sorry for myself or to think about what could've been .... I'm exactly where I want to be

Sometimes I wonder why people ask if I feel pressure ... Of course , there's pressure, but I'm used to it , It's what pushes me to keep going , to keep winning

I've been dealing with it since I was a kid , so it doesn't bother me anymore .... It's just part of the job , And honestly ... I wouldn't have it any other way

"What's the point of worrying?"

I ask myself ... I've already achieved my childhood dream , I've worked hard for this , and I don't see the need to question anything

This is my life ... Racing is all I've ever known , and I've made peace with that , I don't need anyone to understand me or what I've been through ... All I need is to keep doing what I love racing , winning , and staying at the top

So , as I stand here , looking at myself in the mirror ... I don't see a guy hiding behind a mask

I see a champion who knows what he wants .... I've always known where I'm going , and nothing's going to stop me from getting there

I remember the early days when I was just a little kid sitting behind the wheel of a go-kart

I was no older than seven , and racing felt like a fun game to me , I loved the feeling of speed and the wind hitting my face

We laughed and played on the track , but for me, everything changed when I realized racing wasn't just a game

My dad would watch me from a distance with his sharp eyes ... He didn't speak much , but his looks said it all , He wanted more from me than just having fun