Max Verstappen is hoping for a double celebration this Sunday in both Formula 1 and football.
The four-time world champion will be taking to the track hoping to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at 2pm, just half an hour after his PSV Eindhoven side kick off their title decider.
The Dutchman, who has supported the team since childhood, won’t know if PSV have beaten Ajax to the Eredivisie until he gets out of the car, and admitted he’ll have other thoughts on his mind in Imola.
“Sunday after my race, I’d like to know very quickly,” he told the media.
PSV enter the final day of the season a point ahead of Ajax after an almighty collapse from the Amsterdam giants.
Last weekend Ajax fans thought the title was theirs with PSV 2-0 down against third placed Feyenoord, and that a win later in the day against NEC could clinch it.
However, PSV came back to win 3-2, and then rather astonishingly, Ajax lost 3-0 away in Nijmegen, provoking tears from former Manchester United and Burnley man Wout Weghorst.
Ajax still had a point lead with two to play, but on Wednesday night they conceded an equaliser against Groningen in the ninth minute of stoppage time while PSV beat Heracles 4-1.
The dramatic scenes mean PSV are now a point ahead entering the finale and Verstappen is delighted.
“That was of course also a very nice result for me,” he said. “It’s been a madhouse this season.
“I think they’ll make it, especially considering the form they’ve been in the last few weeks. If they give it away now, that would be very bizarre.
“Although I think Ajax may have a more difficult match ahead of them against FC Twente.”
If PSV finish the job it won’t just be tears for Weghorst, but also captain Jordan Henderson, formerly of Liverpool.
Fronting up to the media after their lead evaporated, the England international said: “I think pressure always plays a part in football.
“You have to deal with it, not only mentally but tactically and technically, the mental aspect is a huge part of football.
“You have to stay positive and you have to take confidence from what we’ve done this season, it’s never been easy, there’s been ups and downs and it’s been a roller coaster.
“We’ve always stayed together and this is another example where we need to do that.”
Verstappen will also be pleased to see Henderson unhappy, given that he’s admitted to supporting rivals Manchester United.
Discussing his love of football with talkSPORT, he said: “I’m a United supporter.
“It’s not like I’m a die-hard United fan, I talk to Virgil [van Dijk] as well and [other] Liverpool players.
“But for me, I enjoy when I see a great match, when I see great football, and I think the Premier League is the best league out there – a lot of great players.”
