At just the age of 24, Max Verstappen has already had a glittering Formula 1 career and won the 2021 World Championship.
Verstappen has been in F1 since 2015, when he made his debut with Toro Rosso. After just a season and a half, he landed himself a Red Bull seat and won his first race with the team.
Fast forward to 2022, he’s now the reigning World Champion and the most successful Red Bull drier in terms of number of podium finishes. A quality for which the 24-year old has always been praised for is his maturity. Even while competing at a young age, he seemed unfazed by all the pressure and expectation surrounding him.
Verstappen has been in a relationship with Kelly Piquet, daughter of three time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet since 2020. She has publicly supported and defended him numerous times over the course of these years.
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet at FIA Prize Giving Gala 📸 pic.twitter.com/2ENVfozTWI
— Channel 4 F1® (@C4F1) December 17, 2021
The Dutch driver’s mother Sophie Kumpen feels that having her in his life, has helped him flourish in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen really missed having a proper family as child
Verstappen’s dad Jos and his mother separated when he was very young. Since then, he lived with his father whereas his sister Victoria lived with his mom. Throughout his childhood, he had to travel across the world, living out of a suitcase as he chased his dream of becoming an F1 driver.
Hard work did pay off for him, as he made it to the pinnacle of motorsport. However, what helps him stay on top of his game is knowing that he has his own family waiting at home for him now, when’s back from races.
Max Verstappen having fun with Kelly Piquet's daughter pic.twitter.com/bncXisg9pV
— SportsMoments4All (@SportMoments4Al) February 2, 2021
“Kelly is of course a bit older,” his mother said. “She has a little child. They’ve created some sort of a little family. And I think that Max maybe missed that when he was young. And I also think such stability has helped him in F1, as he knows that someone is waiting for him at home.”
“She (Kelly Piquet) also comes from a racing family”, Kumpen continued. “So she understands everything. When you see how sweet she is to her child. But also for his sister and for me, he has his heart in the right place.”
