The 2021 world championship winner, Max Verstappen, has become one of the biggest names in the sport. His achievements don’t come across as a surprise with the raw talent he possesses. From the get-go, he made his intentions clear by winning his debut race in the Red Bull colors.

The Dutch driver won the 2016 Spanish GP to become the youngest driver to win an F1 race. This introduced him as the new threat in the F1 paddock. However, because of an underperforming Red Bull, the best of him did not materialize till last year.

Max Verstappen is arguably one of the major pillars of success for the Austrian racing stable. As a result, the team wasted no time in offering him a long-term contract that keeps him at Red Bull until the end of 2028. Notably, with an exit clause that allows him to leave if the team cannot provide him with a competitive package.

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The 24-year-old driver opined on his future by saying “By that time I’ll have been driving around in Formula 1 for a while. It depends a bit on whether the car is good and I still participate for the prizes. I can’t stand having to drive in the back of my laps. I’d rather drive in a different class.” (translated using google)

Jos Verstappen, the father of the defending world champion, currently takes part in rally racing. Yet, Max refutes the thought of competing in the rally as he said, “I like to get in that car every now and then for fun, but I don’t compete. I think it’s too dangerous. And driving with a co-pilot doesn’t seem great to me either. I’d rather just be on my own.” 

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Jos Verstappen’s Tough Love: The Secret behind Max Verstappen’s Glory

The racing gene runs in the blood of the Verstappen family. Jos Verstappen himself is a former F1 driver. The Dutchman entered 107 Grand Prix in his racing career. Also, Max Verstappen’s mom, Sophie Kumpen is a former karting world champion. Notably, she beat a former F1 driver, Giancarlo Fisichella in her karting days.

Arguably, the driver Max Verstappen is today is mainly because of his father. Ever since his childhood, Jos Verstappen has been the biggest critic of his son. The Dutch duo has traveled innumerable distances to compete in various races.

In the defending world champion’s formative years, Jos was the brains behind the car, while Max took the wheel. Since a young age, he has been more focused on sharpening his race craft, while his father improved the engine. He has admitted that his father has always given him a hard time, even when he finished the race first.

It is possibly the best story of a father living his own dream through his son’s success. The Dutch duo form a strong pairing and is a force to be reckoned with. In 2022, Max aims to defend his crown and he would surely receive more tough love from his number one fan.