close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Max Verstappen, right, and mother Sophie Kumpen

Max Verstappen's mum passed on 'angry racer' streak to F1 world champion

Max Verstappen, right, and mother Sophie Kumpen — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen's mum passed on 'angry racer' streak to F1 world champion

Sophie Kumpen has explained which of her personality traits have most influenced her son

Max Verstappen's mother, Sophie Kumpen, has revealed the personality traits passed on from her that have allowed her son to become a two-time Formula 1 world champion.

While Verstappen's father Jos' career as an F1 driver is well-documented, his mother's racing career has been less publicised.

Racing runs in Kumpen's family too, with both her and her brother competing in the karting circuit from a young age.

It's not only racing that Kumpen shares with her son with the 47-year-old prone to a fiery comment, as demonstrated after she levelled cheating allegations against Sergio Perez in the comments section of a Twitter post last season.

Now we can get a glimpse behind the curtain at what traits Kumpen has passed on to her world champion son.

Sophie Kumpen is rarely seen in the F1 paddock, instead watching the races from back home
Sophie Kumpen is rarely seen in the F1 paddock, instead watching the races from back home

'Special' Max

"A racer has to be a little selfish to want to win," Kumpen explained in Viaplay's recently released Anatomy of a Champion documentary.

"Outside of karting, I was a real girl.

"But when you made me angry while racing, I could be incredibly aggressive."

Kumpen also explained how Jos Verstappen's aggression rubbed off on his son as he developed as a driver.

"His father had this as well. If you combine all the good things about Jos with all my good qualities, you get to what makes Max so special."

READ MORE: F1 legend explains why Perez can TOPPLE Verstappen

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Aston Martin chief confirms Adrian Newey decision after Barcelona misery

Aston Martin chief confirms Adrian Newey decision after Barcelona misery

  • 29 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton lashes out, Ferrari chief Elkann sends a message

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton lashes out, Ferrari chief Elkann sends a message

  • 1 hour ago
The wild reason why Audi star Nico Hulkenberg retired from the Barcelona Grand Prix

The wild reason why Audi star Nico Hulkenberg retired from the Barcelona Grand Prix

  • Yesterday 22:55
Mercedes admit pit stop error which cost Russell in Lewis Hamilton battle

Mercedes admit pit stop error which cost Russell in Lewis Hamilton battle

  • Yesterday 22:30
Lewis Hamilton mental games causing Charles Leclerc to 'lose his head'

Lewis Hamilton mental games causing Charles Leclerc to 'lose his head'

  • Yesterday 21:54
F1 team boss spotted at Aston Martin hospitality as Fernando Alonso rumours swirl

F1 team boss spotted at Aston Martin hospitality as Fernando Alonso rumours swirl

  • Yesterday 21:14

Just in

07:45
Aston Martin chief confirms Adrian Newey decision after Barcelona misery
07:01
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton lashes out, Ferrari chief Elkann sends a message
15-6
The wild reason why Audi star Nico Hulkenberg retired from the Barcelona Grand Prix
15-6
Mercedes admit pit stop error which cost Russell in Lewis Hamilton battle
15-6
Lewis Hamilton mental games causing Charles Leclerc to 'lose his head'
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Aston Martin chief confirms Adrian Newey decision after Barcelona misery Aston Martin F1

Aston Martin chief confirms Adrian Newey decision after Barcelona misery

29 minutes ago
The wild reason why Audi star Nico Hulkenberg retired from the Barcelona Grand Prix Audi

The wild reason why Audi star Nico Hulkenberg retired from the Barcelona Grand Prix

Yesterday 22:55
F1 team boss spotted at Aston Martin hospitality as Fernando Alonso rumours swirl Latest F1 News

F1 team boss spotted at Aston Martin hospitality as Fernando Alonso rumours swirl

Yesterday 21:14
Lewis Hamilton lashes out: 'There is a reason I have seven world championships' Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton lashes out: 'There is a reason I have seven world championships'

Yesterday 20:28
Ontdek het op Google Play
x