According to his father, at the age of seven, Max Verstappen showed a certain quality from which he could conclude that he had something special.
Under the wing of his father, Max Verstappen has grown into the F1 driver we know today. The duo were inseparable during their way to the top class of motorsport and father Jos had already seen at a young age that his son Max had a special talent.
“When he was seven years old, I saw that he had something special,” Verstappen Senior told Speedweek.
“He was always incredibly fast in the first lap on cold tyres. And when catching up. You can see where someone can overtake, how he prepares it, Max was always very good at that.”
It also cost father Jos blood, sweat and tears, but the former F1 driver believed in his son’s ability.
“For me it was between 80,000 and 100,000 kilometers by bus every year,” adds Verstappen senior. ”I also prepared the engines, I was a mechanic and a family man.”
“That cost me a lot of time and money and I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t seen his talent.”
He also admits that he was sometimes strict with his son, but he said he did so to instill a winning mentality.
“I think it was difficult for Max,” he said. “We didn’t go to the track to chase the others. We went there to win, that’s what I taught Max.”
“I always just wanted to win, win, win. That’s what I asked him to do.”
Jos always remained closely involved in his son’s career, but after his first season with Toro Rosso he took a step back.
“I was fully involved, also showing Max how to work with the team.”
“The nice thing is that we still talk to each other every day that Max drives. We call each other and talk about how it went and what is going on.”
“I also tell him my opinion about it. I’ll just tell him, he doesn’t have to answer, but I know he’s thinking about it. That’s all I want.”
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