Being the teammate of Max Verstappen is the hardest job in Formula 1. A few decades ago, this was true of being the teammate of another top talent: Michael Schumacher. Jos Verstappen was one of the drivers who faced (and lost) the internal duel against the seven-time world champion.
The relationship between Jos Verstappen and Michael Schumacher was always fine. The two also did things together outside Formula 1, such as go-karting. Looking back at F1-Insider, Verstappen senior believes that those moments with Michael may also have been good for then little Max.
"We often went go-karting with our children, Mick and Max. Michael didn't distinguish between Max and Mick. If he had something to say, he told them both. It is quite possible that Max also benefited from these experiences."
'Schumacher and Max are similar'
According to Verstappen senior, Max Verstappen has traits of Michael Schumacher: "Max has a lot in common with Michael: uncompromising on the track, but sweet, sensitive and caring as a private person."
Mick Schumacher has never been able to race his father in a professional class. Max Verstappen hopes that he will be able to do so with his father Jos at some point, for example during the 24 hours of Le Mans. However, the former F1 driver suspects that it will never happen.
"Max keeps talking about it, he wants it very much. I look at this quite critically. I am much too slow for him. That's why I would rule it out at the moment," Jos Verstappen stated.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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