Three-Time World Champion Max Verstappen Received ‘Tough Love’ On His Path To Success

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race on Saturday evening, becoming the Formula One world champion for the third time in a row. His team principal, Christian Horner, considers the Dutchman to be one of the finest in history, and he has also received accolades from his naturally proud father, former F1 racer Jos Verstappen.

Three-Time World Champion Max Verstappen Received ‘Tough Love’ On His Path To Success

At the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race, three-time world champion Max Verstappen celebrated the “fantastic feeling” of winning the Formula One title.

Jos Verstappen has been chastised several times for the rigorous manner in which he raised his son, Max Verstappen, in the racing world.

When asked to clarify his allegation of violence against Verstappen’s father Jos, he explained: “That’s what I mean. It’s not a figure of speech.

“His father used violence when Max didn’t win in karting. If you see that today it seems wild, but that’s how it happened for him. I would never educate my son like that.

“It was outrageous, but it worked for them. Red Bull loved the method because it was tough and disciplined.

Jos Verstappen, a former Formula One driver, lauded his son, stating, “Of course, we appreciate it, but it’s also the way he did it, he was so dominant this year and he delivered really well, and I’m very proud of that.”

“I knew it [his talent] a long time when he was in a go-kart. I think we made the right decision at the beginning of his career and now it’s up to him what he does. I’m just very happy with how he does it and how strong he is, and the way he works for that.”

Jos others in the business agreed with him that such an upbringing was required to flourish in the cutthroat world of racing.

Despite criticism and abuse allegations, Jos maintained his methods.

“There are people who say I’m a bad father because I abused my child, I never abused him!” Jos said in the documentary ‘Anatomy of a Champion’.

“I raised him, I was hard on him. That was my plan, many people cannot imagine what it takes to reach the absolute top level of a sport.

“I’m normally not a guy who really likes to open up about these kinds of things, but I think it does give you a bit more of an insight into how everyone lived through that period.”

The documentary looks into Max’s early karting years, revealing instances in which his father’s harsh love was on full display.

Max, for example, was abandoned at a petrol station after failing to win a karting championship despite being the greatest.

Max was also forced to endure severe conditions while practising karting, with his fingers too numb to even handle the steering wheel. Jos reasoned that toughening up Max was vital for success.

The documentary also delves into Jos Verstappen’s personal life, which has been hampered by legal issues and abuse claims.

His previous partner, Sophie Kumpen, a well-known karting racer, had accused him of harassment, abuse, and verbal threats.

 

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