We often see drivers compete in Formula 1, whose fathers are veterans of motorsports. Max Verstappen is perhaps the only driver whose parents were phenomenal drivers of their times. Then why is it that only his father Jos made it to Formula 1 while his mother Sophie could not?

In the 2020 documentary based on the life of Max Verstappen called ‘Whatever it Takes’, we got to know his family a little better. In a section of the documentary, we saw his mother Sophie Kumpen open up about her racing career. Sophie was a karting racer who fought against the best of the sport. Among those were the ones who made it to the top and competed in Formula 1.

In the documentary, Sophie Kumpen revealed how being the wife of an F1 driver and later the mother of one made her put her racing career on the back burner. She told, “So I’ve raced against [Jarno] Trulli, [Giancarlo] Fisichella, [Jenson] Button… I’ve also raced against Max’s team boss Christian Horner. He recently said “you were faster than me”. I said “distinction has to be made Christian”. But the difference is that those men made it, while I was the wife of…, and now the mother of…” 

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The racing past of Max Verstappen’s parents reveals where his natural ability comes from. Being in the F1 paddocks right from the age of 2 had to have an influence on his developing a love for the sport.

Former F1 champion credits Max Verstappen’s parents for his natural ability

Earlier this year, Jenson Button appeared for an interview with Sky Sports. They asked Jenson many questions but the one that caught our attention was when they asked him who he thought was a more naturally talented driver- Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen. Button believed Verstappen was more of a natural talent as he had racing in his blood owing to his parents being racers.

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He said, “with Max, his dad raced in F1, and I raced against his dad. My first points finish was in Brazil in my second race, to get that point, I had to overtake his dad. Obviously, an amazing talent and his father was one of the best car drivers ever and still probably to this day.”

“And his mum Sophie, I was teammates with her in karting. She used to be a professional kart driver and she was one of the best in the world. So, it’s definitely in the blood. So, naturally gifted, yes but I don’t know if he’s the best driver.”

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The Dutchman truly has proven Jenson Button right. The way he recovered despite his two DNFs in the first three races of the 2022 season is commendable. And then the way he won 15 races was pure dominance. Max truly has a lot to thank his mother for.