Father, mother, mentor: the most important people in Verstappen’s life

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Max Verstappen has done it again: after 2021 and 2022, he will win a fantastic world title this season. The Dutchman’s driving talent is beyond dispute. But there are other factors and important people behind the 26-year-old’s success.

After the victory in Zandvoort (Ho), the two showed their happiness in love and celebrated this with kisses and hugs. The Brazilian is the daughter of former world champion Nelson Piquet (3 titles). The 35-year-old already has a child – with Verstappen’s former rival Daniil Kvyat. Max and Kelly have been officially a couple since the beginning of 2021.

Jos is Max’s father and sponsor. The former Formula 1 driver (107 GPs, made his debut alongside Michael Schumacher for Benetton in 1994) sometimes gives his son a pass and was often strict in his son Max’s career. He passed his ambition on to his son.

In addition to father Jos, mother Sophie Kumpen is also indispensable for Verstappen. He got his racing intelligence from her. The mother was one of the best kart drivers as a racing driver in the 1990s. Your opponents: Including the later Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button, Nick Heidfeld and Jarno Trulli. And she also competed against current Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. “His mother was in the top 10 in the world at the time,” Horner once said on the ‘F1′ podcast. After her parents’ divorce (2008), the mother accompanied her daughter Victoria (now an entrepreneur) on her journey; Jos was mainly there for Verstappen.

Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will remain at the Dutchman’s side until the end of Verstappen’s career in Formula 1, if Max has his way. “I told him I only wanted to work with him,” said the world champion after winning his first title. “He tells me when I’m an idiot and vice versa. I value our relationship.”

The image in Formula 1 is still dominated by men, but Hannah Schmitz is one of the most successful figures in Formula 1. The Briton is a senior strategy engineer at Red Bull and, together with her team and Will Courtenay, decides, among other things: its role Choice of tires and timing of the change – and it is top class. The Briton graduated from Cambridge and has worked at Red Bull since 2009. She gives Verstappen instructions and statistics.

The motorsport boss brought Verstappen to Red Bull, they talk before and after every session. Marko recently told the Kronen Zeitung: “Apart from Max, only older men like Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton could exist in the same car.”

The Dutchman has been looking after Max’s career since he was a teenager and since Verstappen is someone with rough edges, that is not always easy. “With Max you get what you see,” says Vermeulen. The families know each other very well. Raymond’s son Thierry (21) is also a racing driver (DTM) – with Jos Verstappen as manager.

“My wife says I spend more time with Max than with her,” Scanes says. The Brit prepares Max for the races. It also takes away the aches and pains. The marathon runner forces Verstappen to perform at the highest level. “I think Max is in the best shape of his life.”

Source : Blick