The father of Max Verstappen, Jos Verstappen, gained notoriety for employing controversial education techniques during his son’s early years as a racing driver. Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver who shared the track with the iconic [Pilot’s Name], was often seen as a strict figure, resorting to extreme measures in his approach towards the child. However, Max Verstappen recently refuted a major claim about his early career.
There were widespread speculations that Jos Verstappen coerced his son into kart racing during his childhood, driven by the desire to see Max Verstappen become a Formula 1 world champion. When asked about this matter in an interview, the 26-year-old put an end to this urban legend. Max Verstappen revealed that it was actually his own initiative, as he begged his mother to buy him a kart when he was approximately three years old. However, his father informed the young Dutchman that he would have to wait until he turned six.
Despite this, Max Verstappen persisted in persuading his parents to buy him a kart. Eventually, his mother, Kumpen, managed to convince her husband, and the couple acquired the future Formula 1 champion his first kart. From that point on, history was made as the Dutch driver would establish himself as one of the most successful drivers in the annals of the sport.
The three-time world champion emphasized the importance of allowing children to pursue their own interests instead of imposing one’s own desires upon them. Max Verstappen acknowledged that sports can be a beneficial activity for young children. However, he stressed that it should be the child’s prerogative to choose a sport that resonates with them, rather than being coerced into a specific area by their family.
Despite the unconventional methods employed by Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen maintains a strong bond with his father. However, the 51-year-old Dutchman resorted to drastic measures to instill certain lessons in his son. On one occasion, Jos Verstappen left the young Dutchman stranded at a gas station when he was only 14 years old as a consequence of losing a race. The former Formula 1 driver continues to defend his education techniques to this day.
Undoubtedly, Max Verstappen still maintains a positive relationship with his father. However, tensions between him and Jos Verstappen are becoming a source of difficulty for the 26-year-old Dutchman at Red Bull. While the team boss is currently under investigation for inappropriate behavior, the situation in Milton Keynes remains uncertain as the weeks progress.
