Max Verstappen, one of Formula 1’s most talented and dominant drivers in recent history, has made a name for himself on the racetrack with his fierce determination and exceptional skill. As of 2025, the 26-year-old Dutchman has already racked up multiple world championships and is a fixture in the sport’s elite ranks. However, behind Verstappen’s rise to stardom lies a person whose impact is not always visible on the track but has been instrumental in shaping the driver Max has become: his father, Jos Verstappen.

Jos, a former Formula 1 driver in his own right, played a critical role in shaping Max’s early years, particularly during his karting days. As a father who also had a professional background in motorsports, Jos knew better than anyone the demands of the sport and the hard work necessary to succeed. Today, Max acknowledges that it was his father’s tough love and relentless pushing that made all the difference in his early development as a racer.

The Beginnings of a Racing Legacy
Max Verstappen’s racing career began at an age where most children are focused on school and playing sports casually. By the time he was just four years old, Max had already started to develop a passion for motorsport, following in his father’s footsteps. Jos Verstappen had a solid career in Formula 1, racing for teams like Benetton, Simtek, and Stewart. Although Jos never won a race in F1, his experience in the world of motorsport was rich, and he soon became the perfect mentor for his son.

Max was no stranger to the racing world, and his early experiences in karting were largely shaped by the guiding hands of Jos, who was there every step of the way. Max first got behind the wheel of a go-kart at the age of four and quickly displayed his prodigious talent. However, it was Jos who instilled the crucial principles of racing that would define Max’s career: focus, consistency, and the drive to push beyond one’s limits.

The Importance of a Father’s Influence
While many successful athletes attribute their success to personal hard work, often Max’s journey has been linked to the influence of his father. Jos Verstappen’s hands-on approach was critical to Max’s early years in motorsport. Jos knew that karting was not just a hobby for Max—it was the gateway to a professional career in racing. From a young age, Max was exposed to the fierce competitive nature of the sport, and Jos made sure to push his son both mentally and physically.

Jos’ philosophy was simple: to make Max tough and determined, but also to teach him how to remain calm under pressure. As Max continued to rise through the ranks of karting, competing against much older and more experienced drivers, Jos was there to offer his wisdom, share lessons from his own time in motorsport, and provide guidance on how to handle the inevitable challenges that come with competitive racing.

Max has spoken candidly about how his father would push him to improve, whether it was in terms of his driving techniques or his mindset. Max’s karting days weren’t without their challenges—especially as he faced some of the most talented karting drivers in Europe—but Jos’ unrelenting approach ensured that Max didn’t just survive the pressure; he thrived in it. Jos’ strict and direct approach was a crucial factor in ensuring that Max always pushed himself to the very edge of his potential, setting him apart from other young drivers.

The Mental Toughness Max Acquired
One of the core qualities Max Verstappen believes he gained from his father’s coaching was the importance of mental strength. Racing is often perceived as a sport dominated by skill and speed, but as Max has grown older and gained more experience in F1, he’s come to realize that the mental aspect is just as important. It was Jos who first instilled in him the importance of controlling emotions, particularly when faced with setbacks.

In karting, Max often found himself in positions where he would need to be assertive, but also composed. His father’s advice, both in victory and defeat, shaped Max’s mindset into that of a seasoned driver long before he reached the F1 grid. Jos encouraged him to take each race one step at a time and to learn from each experience, whether it was a victory or a loss. This mental fortitude has served Max well as he has had to cope with the intense pressures of Formula 1, where every race is a battle of nerves, focus, and precision.

The Pressure of Expectations
Although Jos was always supportive, he wasn’t afraid to place high expectations on his son. Many people have questioned whether this level of pressure was healthy for Max, but the young Dutch driver has repeatedly pointed to his father’s high expectations as being a driving force behind his success.