Max Verstappen Shares How He Battles Jet Lag and Prepares for Success During Record-Breaking F1 Season

As Formula 1 continues its rapid global expansion, no driver embodies the sport’s nonstop demands quite like Max Verstappen, who offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at his routine during an exclusive conversation at the Red Bull Energy Station ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. With a historic 24 races across 21 countries and five continents, the world champion said the greatest challenge confronting the grid isn’t always on track—it’s in the air.

Long flights, shifting climates, and unrelenting time zone swings have become defining features of modern Formula 1. For drivers, maintaining peak performance requires far more than pure racing talent; it demands the discipline of elite athletes navigating a travel schedule that often rivals that of touring musicians. Amid the grueling calendar, Verstappen openly described how he manages one of the most underestimated difficulties of the season: jet lag.

“It’s tough,” Verstappen admitted plainly. While the Dutch-Belgian driver is known for his laser-focused intensity during race weekends, he acknowledged that the increasingly aggressive global schedule has forced drivers to adapt in ways fans rarely see. “You go to bed like four or five in the morning just because of the time zone differences,” he told PEOPLE. “But it’s all right.”

Ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix—an event purposely designed for late-night sessions under the city’s neon glow—drivers faced an unusual circadian challenge. Track action stretched into the early morning hours, forcing teams to recalibrate their preparation methods. For Verstappen, that meant shifting his day dramatically.

“I wake up at noon,” he said with a shrug, describing the tailored sleep cycle he uses to align with nighttime racing and the region’s unique scheduling demands. Rather than attempting to fight the time shift, Verstappen and his performance team embrace it, reshaping his internal clock to match the rhythm of the event.

But even for a driver who has spent nearly a decade navigating this world, jet lag remains stubborn. “It’s a tough one,” he repeated, noting that even with experience, the strain doesn’t simply disappear. The body resists, fatigue accumulates, and adaptation becomes a skill unto itself. For many drivers, understanding how to control sleep, nutrition, and mental sharpness is just as important as understanding tire degradation or race strategy.

Verstappen’s upbringing in motorsport, beginning with his stunning F1 debut at the age of 17 in 2015, conditioned him early to handle the complications of constant travel. Yet the demands have increased dramatically. The 2024 and 2025 calendars represent the most ambitious iterations in F1 history, with the series stretching deeper into new regions and packing races more tightly into the year. Drivers must learn to balance continuity with recovery, particularly as more flyaway races cluster together.

“My sleep schedule is pretty good now,” Verstappen noted. Over time, he has found a rhythm that works for him—one that accommodates late sessions, post-qualifying debriefs, media commitments, and the long engineering meetings that occupy much of a driver’s weekend. What fans see on race day is only a small fraction of the total workload.

Behind the scenes, Verstappen works closely with trainers and physiologists to maintain consistency amid chaos. Long flights require hydration strategies and oxygen regulation techniques; sudden temperature swings require careful planning to protect muscles and joint mobility. Nutritionists design meals that align with the schedule, not the local clock. Whether the team lands in Singapore, Miami, Jeddah, or Melbourne, Verstappen’s routine must remain stable enough to deliver peak performance.

But the late-night lifestyle of the Las Vegas weekend presented a scenario even seasoned veterans had to consciously adjust to. “Everything is shifted later—your sleep, your meals, your meetings. It’s a different rhythm,” Verstappen said. While some drivers struggled noticeably with the upside-down schedule, Verstappen’s adaptability showed in his calm approach. “You just prepare for it. It’s part of the job now.”

His framing of the issue—matter-of-fact yet realistic—reflects a driver who understands both the demands and the inevitability of modern Formula 1. The calendar is unlikely to shrink, and drivers must adapt or be left behind.

At the same time, Verstappen remains aware of the broader conversation unfolding in the paddock. Teams, drivers, and even team principals have expressed concern about the rapidly expanding schedule’s toll on personnel. Mechanics, engineers, and traveling staff face similar challenges without the extensive personal support teams available to drivers. Verstappen often acknowledges this reality, crediting crew members who endure the same schedule with far less downtime.

Still, despite the strain, Verstappen insists that race preparation remains a craft he enjoys refining. “You find what works for you,” he said. “You get used to it.”

As the lights came on over the Las Vegas Strip and anticipation built for another high-stakes night race, Verstappen’s calm confidence served as a reminder of why he remains among the sport’s elite. For a driver defined by precision and control, mastering the unseen battles—sleep, jet lag, and mental sharpness—has become as essential as mastering the machinery beneath him.

“My sleep schedule is pretty good now,” Verstappen noted. Over time, he has found a rhythm that works for him—one that accommodates late sessions, post-qualifying debriefs, media commitments, and the long engineering meetings that occupy much of a driver’s weekend. What fans see on race day is only a small fraction of the total workload.

Behind the scenes, Verstappen works closely with trainers and physiologists to maintain consistency amid chaos. Long flights require hydration strategies and oxygen regulation techniques; sudden temperature swings require careful planning to protect muscles and joint mobility. Nutritionists design meals that align with the schedule, not the local clock. Whether the team lands in Singapore, Miami, Jeddah, or Melbourne, Verstappen’s routine must remain stable enough to deliver peak performance.

But the late-night lifestyle of the Las Vegas weekend presented a scenario even seasoned veterans had to consciously adjust to. “Everything is shifted later—your sleep, your meals, your meetings. It’s a different rhythm,” Verstappen said. While some drivers struggled noticeably with the upside-down schedule, Verstappen’s adaptability showed in his calm approach. “You just prepare for it. It’s part of the job now.”

His framing of the issue—matter-of-fact yet realistic—reflects a driver who understands both the demands and the inevitability of modern Formula 1. The calendar is unlikely to shrink, and drivers must adapt or be left behind.

At the same time, Verstappen remains aware of the broader conversation unfolding in the paddock. Teams, drivers, and even team principals have expressed concern about the rapidly expanding schedule’s toll on personnel. Mechanics, engineers, and traveling staff face similar challenges without the extensive personal support teams available to drivers. Verstappen often acknowledges this reality, crediting crew members who endure the same schedule with far less downtime.

Still, despite the strain, Verstappen insists that race preparation remains a craft he enjoys refining. “You find what works for you,” he said. “You get used to it.”

As the lights came on over the Las Vegas Strip and anticipation built for another high-stakes night race, Verstappen’s calm confidence served as a reminder of why he remains among the sport’s elite. For a driver defined by precision and control, mastering the unseen battles—sleep, jet lag, and mental sharpness—has become as essential as mastering the machinery beneath him.