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Max Verstappen Gets Candid on the Impact of Seeing His Father Race in F1: “But Now When You Look Back…”

Published 02/02/2023, 6:45 AM EST

If there is one known fact in the world, it is that children are impressionable. However, it’s not always the case and no one can pinpoint the degree of it. Max Verstappen on the other hand, was an impressionable kind of kid. One can judge that the way he speaks about his father racing in the premier class and how he grew inclined toward the same goal.

Speaking in an interview posted on Twitter, the Dutchman revealed how racing was just an activity he used to witness his father do at the tender age of three. However, he also revealed how racing in Formula 1 became a hobby and then an obsession, and eventually a goal of his.

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The Red Bull world champion got talking about this after looking at a photo of himself where he’s with his father. He said, “I just saw my dad as my dad and I knew he was driving F1. But what does it mean F1 when you were 3 years old? I mean I saw racing cars that’s what I liked but now when you look back at the, of course, it’s very special.”

“Initially, I just enjoyed driving and racing in go-karting and then of course you know you realize at a point where F1 is the highest you can achieve in racing and yeah then the goal slowly started to switch to Formula 1,” he added.

Max Verstappen’s Father Jos Lashes Out at “Political” F1

This passion for the sport and racing is alive in both Verstappen men. Jos Verstappen showcased that when he took a dig at his son. However, before it was all fun and games, Jos was a strict mentor who took some extreme measures to see his son succeed in the sport.

Jos Verstappen was a tough and necessary evil for his son Max

What do Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have one thing in common? Both had extremely strict mentors in the shape of their fathers. However, both are showcasing that their father’s methods are working. Although there are instances from Max Verstappen’s life that will bring you chills.

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Recalling an instance, Verstappen revealed, “Once I didn’t feel like it. My father noticed this and hit me on the helmet with full force. Everyone in the paddock noticed that. He just said: ‘If you keep driving like this, we’ll pack up and go home.”

However, there are no ill feelings now as his father still jokes sometimes about hitting him on the helmet, so he will go faster.

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MATCH THIS STORY: Bromance moments between Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton

Moments like these reveal the strictness and emotional investment that all parties put into becoming an F1 driver. However, the ones who survive the journey become the best of the lot, clearly!

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Written by:

Mahim Suhalka is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. This Sports Management post-graduate is an ardent supporter of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team and their lead driver, Lewis Hamilton. The fact that Lewis dominated one of the most expensive sports in the world for all these years, despite his humble beginnings, has been a huge inspiration for Mahim and has made him a tenured fan of the competitive sport itself.

Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai

Max Verstappen Gets Candid on the Impact of Seeing His Father Race in F1: “But Now When You Look Back…”

Jos Verstappen was a tough and necessary evil for his son Max

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