Sophie Kumpen, Max Verstappen’s mother, sees what traits the two-time world champion has gotten from her. During her karting competitions, Kumpen could also become very aggressive if she didn’t like something. The former racing driver sees how Verstappen is a mix of her and Jos Verstappen.
Verstappen’s driving style is often called aggressive and attacking. If the Dutchman sees a gap on the track, he has already placed his car there before the opponent realizes it. His fighting spirit showed up early in his career. In the early years of his Formula 1 career, it was said that the two-time world champion could sometimes be too eager, but the Limburger now knows when to be patient and makes his choices on the track more carefully.
Kumpen, who had a successful karting career in which she competed against Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella, sees some of herself in her son. “In my races, if you made me angry, I could be very aggressive,” says Kumpen in the three-part documentary series Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion. His father had this too. If you combine the good things from Jos and the good things from me, that makes Max special’, Verstappen’s mother thinks.
Verstappen seems to have found balance
The 25-year-old is increasingly showing his mature approach, Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner also reported in Australia. Verstappen is in his place at the Austrian racing stable and knows that he has the fastest car. That gave him the confidence to take it easy as he was overtaken by the Mercedes drivers in Melbourne. Verstappen remained calm and was able to take back the lead later without any problems. The progress of the Dutchman is more noticeable in his much calmer and mature approach.
