Max Verstappen‘s journey to becoming a four-time Formula 1 world champion has deep family roots in racing. Both his parents played key roles in shaping his remarkable career.
Jos Verstappen, Max’s dad, was quite the racer himself. He competed in 107 F1 Grands Prix during his career, earning the nickname “Jos The Boss” along the way. Born in Montfort, Jos raised his son with what many describe as a firm hand, instilling the discipline and competitive drive we see in Max today.
By 2021, Max had already raced in more F1 events than his father ever did.
What many people don’t realize is that Max’s mother, Sophie Kumpen, was also seriously involved in racing. She competed in Formula A and the Super A Swift Cup before stepping back from the sport.
Sophie put her own racing career on hold in 1996 to focus on raising her children with Jos and supporting his racing ambitions. The couple separated in 2008 after years together.
Racing clearly runs in Max’s blood from both sides of the family.
Sophie actually attempted a comeback to racing in 2013, joining the Formido Swift Cup. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. During the final races at Zandvoort, she suffered a serious crash that left her with a fractured vertebra.
She hasn’t returned to competitive racing since that accident.
The influence of both parents is clearly visible in Max’s driving style – combining his father’s aggressive determination with his mother’s technical skill behind the wheel. It’s no wonder he’s become one of F1’s most dominant drivers with that racing pedigree.
