Jos Verstappen gave Max a clear goal: 'Was unconsciously working on that'

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3 June 2022 at 08:43
Last update 3 June 2022 at 10:11
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has had a long, but especially instructive 'education' from his father Jos. At Formule1.nl father and son discuss the way of training and racing in Max's younger years.

The training of Jos

When Max is four years old, his parents give him a go-kart and with father Jos Verstappen and mother Sophie Kumpen, racing is in his blood. It soon becomes apparent that Verstappen has talent, and his father turns it into a project. For years they travelled the country, and not much later all of Europe, to race at different tracks.

Verstappen's greatest quality is that he is instantly fast. Whether it's the first meters in the first free practice or the first lap on a new set of tires: Verstappen gives everything he has and is immediately fast. This is a direct result of Jos' training, who says he always gave Max a maximum of two laps to be fast.

Verstappen fast immediately

You don't have time when you start training, according to father and son. ''The pressure was not on, but I told him. Max was then unconsciously working on it'', says Jos. Max himself is happy with his father's upbringing. Because of this he never has to search for pace for a long time but is immediately fast when he enters the track. That is the first trick for competitors and teammates.

Verstappen's efforts have paid off, as the Dutchman won the karting world title and since last year has also had the Formula 1 world title on his resume. With that, the project of father and son has succeeded. Jos has now been able to let Max go more, where Max, after achieving his dream, can enjoy his time in F1 more.