If you follow professional Formula 1 racing, you definitely know the name Max Verstappen. But you don’t have to be a motorsport fan to understand what strict parenting can do to a child.
The Making of Max Verstappen
Max was born into a family of racers — he’s a fourth-generation driver. It was almost written in stone that he would become a champion. From a very young age, he showed extraordinary results — not just in racing, but in academics too.
Most people believe it was pure talent. They can’t imagine it any other way. But few truly understand the immense effort and pressure that came with his path to the top.
Max’s grandfather and father were tough men. His grandfather shaped Max’s father into a champion with his own hands. And Max’s father did the same with his son.
Max got into karting at a young age. That’s when his father made a decision: he would raise the best racing driver in the world. He gave up his own racing career and dedicated himself entirely to Max, raising him alone after a divorce.
He didn’t just invest everything he had — he was often extremely harsh. People close to the family talk about this openly.
He pushed Max to train through tears and frustration. He would scold him harshly for even the smallest mistakes — especially for crashing expensive racing karts.
Max grew up under strict rules and iron discipline. Breaking them was not an option. Some say he wouldn’t even take off his helmet, so no one would see him cry.
The Cost of Tough Love
Max’s racing journey started when he was just 4 and a half years old. He entered his first competition at 7 — and finished in second place.
By the time he left karting at 17, Max had already won every major title in the sport. He moved on to Formula 3. At that point, no challenge scared him — the only real problem was money. Competing in F3 required over half a million euros. But his father found sponsors, and Max raced in 33 events that year alone.
Soon, Formula 1 teams began noticing Max Verstappen. He eventually joined Red Bull’s lineup.
At 17 years and 166 days old, Max became the youngest F1 driver in history. By 27, he was already a four-time Formula 1 World Champion.
Max has admitted that he wouldn’t have achieved any of it without his father’s tough love. And when he stepped into the world’s top racing league, nothing felt overwhelming — the hardest part was already behind him.
He went through a brutal school of life early on. But now, for Max Verstappen, there are no obstacles — no situations too tough to handle. He’s ready for anything.
🏎️ Max Verstappen's race.
Every stage in his path is not luck, but effort. Can you help me pass the champion's track?
Start! Max is 4 years old. It's his first time in a go-kart.
