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Left at a Gas Station? The Dark Side of Max Verstappen’s Ruthless Rise to F1 Dominance – Jos Verstappen explains truth behind notorious gas station abandonment story

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 3, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Jos Verstappen’s Brutal Methods Exposed: Harsh Parenting Behind Max Verstappen’s F1 Rise?

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates with his father Jos Verstappen in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202112120676 // Usage for editorial use only //

For years, whispers of brutal discipline, psychological conditioning, and alleged borderline abuse have surrounded Max Verstappen’s relationship with his father, Jos Verstappen. But now, the former F1 driver is breaking his silence, setting the record straight on one of the most shocking stories in modern motorsport—the claim that he abandoned his son at a gas station as a teenager.

Speaking to F1Insider.com, Jos Verstappen denied ever leaving his son behind but admitted to what many would consider extreme parenting methods that shaped Max into the relentless champion he is today.

The Infamous Gas Station Incident: A Lesson in Tough Love?

One of the most controversial moments in the Verstappen saga dates back to 2012. Max, just 15 at the time, was racing in the CIK-FIA KZ2 Karting Championship in Italy. Starting from pole position, his title hopes came crashing down—literally—after a second-lap accident ended his bid for victory.

Jos, known for his fierce temper and unforgiving mentality, was reportedly livid. During the long drive home, frustration boiled over, culminating in an argument so intense that Jos allegedly pulled over at a gas station and left Max there—alone, in a foreign country.

With nowhere else to turn, Max called his mother, Sophie Kumpen. Eventually, Jos returned to pick him up, but the punishment didn’t end there. The elder Verstappen enforced a brutal silent treatment—refusing to speak to his son for an entire week.

Now, more than a decade later, Jos is finally addressing the claims.

Jos Verstappen: “I Didn’t Leave Him. I Just Didn’t Talk to Him”

Jos insists the story has been twisted over time and rejects the notion that he abandoned his son, but he does not deny the psychological pressure he placed on Max.

“I think it’s time to clear up this story now,” he stated. “The truth is: I didn’t leave him behind. I just didn’t talk to him for a week. Was that too harsh? According to Max, no.”

Jos maintains that his draconian approach was necessary, shaping his son into the ice-cold competitor he is today. He even compared Max’s resilience to the notoriously tough Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, a figure known for his ruthless driver development tactics.

“He felt better prepared for F1 because of my manner,” Jos added. “The treatment of Helmut Marko, who is also considered an extremely hard bone, has therefore no longer bothered him.”

But while Max has seemingly embraced the extreme upbringing, critics continue to question whether such relentless pressure borders on psychological abuse.

From Gas Station to Glory: Max’s Bulletproof Mentality in 2024

If Jos Verstappen’s ruthless training methods were meant to forge an unshakable competitor, the results were undeniable in 2024. Despite Red Bull’s inconsistent performance in the latter half of the season, Max held firm, outlasting McLaren’s Lando Norris and clinching his fourth consecutive world title.

In a season where his car was often outpaced, Verstappen’s ability to extract every possible point and minimize mistakes became his defining trait. That mental steel, honed from years of extreme discipline, proved to be his greatest weapon.

Yet as 2025 looms, concerns over Red Bull’s form are growing, and Jos is anything but optimistic.

Jos Sounds the Alarm: “Red Bull Needs a More Predictable Car”

While Max may have conquered adversity once again, his father remains deeply skeptical about Red Bull’s ability to deliver a dominant car next season.

“I still doubt that a little,” Jos admitted. “Red Bull needs to build a car that is more predictable in all conditions. If you look at the second half of 2024, you can’t be optimistic.”

His concerns center on the team’s inability to maintain consistent development, a problem that became evident after Red Bull’s chief technical mastermind, Adrian Newey, took a step back from direct involvement.

“As for Newey, it’s a fact that the car didn’t get any better when he left the team. Especially the updates no longer worked as desired,” Jos warned. “I’ve talked enough about the reasons why the team is in danger of falling apart. Let’s leave it at that. One thing is certain: Red Bull has a big task ahead of it in 2025.”

The Verstappen Legacy: Tough Love or Unforgivable Trauma?

As Max Verstappen continues his reign atop Formula 1, the lingering question remains: Was Jos Verstappen’s extreme approach the key to his son’s dominance, or did it cross the line into something more sinister?

Whatever the case, the Verstappen name is etched into motorsport history. And as the 2025 season looms, one thing is certain—there’s no room for weakness in the Verstappen camp.

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