Max Verstappen Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Why His Mother Quit Racing – and How He Feels Responsible
Max Verstappen may be one of the most dominant forces in Formula 1 today, but behind his success lies a story that is far more personal than championship titles and race wins. In a rare and emotional admission, the four-time world champion has opened up about how he believes he was the reason his mother, Sophie Kumpen, walked away from her own promising motorsport career.
For years, much of the spotlight has fallen on the influence of his father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen. Fans and media often credit Jos’ intense karting tuition and tough upbringing for shaping Max into the relentless competitor he is today. But as Max has grown older and more reflective, he has increasingly acknowledged the equally powerful legacy of his mother – and how his birth changed the direction of her life forever.
A mother who could have been a star
Sophie Kumpen was not just a racing hobbyist. In the 1980s and 1990s, she was a fierce competitor in karting, racing wheel-to-wheel with future Formula 1 icons like Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella. In her prime, she was seen as one of the most gifted female karting drivers of her generation. Many believed she had the skill to move into professional racing or even reach Formula 1 herself – something almost unheard of for women in that era.
However, everything changed when she became pregnant with Max. That moment marked the end of her competitive career.
During a media session at the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen reflected on this turning point in his family’s story. With a mix of pride and guilt, he explained how his arrival forced his mother to step away from racing permanently.
“She was still racing at a high level when she found out she was pregnant,” Verstappen said. “And well… that was it. In a way, I ended her racing career before it could go further. All because of me.”
He laughed gently as he said it, but the deeper meaning wasn’t lost on anyone listening. Max isn’t just acknowledging her sacrifice – he’s recognising the cost of his own existence on a path she might have continued.
Racing genes from both sides – but more from mom
The public has always associated Verstappen’s racing DNA with Jos, who competed in Formula 1 between 1994 and 2003. But Max insists the real competitive fire in their family comes from his mother.
“My dad raced in Formula 1, but my mum was racing karts against guys who later became Formula 1 drivers,” Max explained, clearly proud. “Honestly, I think the real racing genes are on my mum’s side. She never truly stopped loving the sport.”
He recounted memories from his earliest karting days when both parents offered guidance – often from completely different perspectives. While Jos taught Max aggression, discipline, and race craft, Sophie helped him interpret racing with calmness, intelligence, and natural instinct.
“She understood things about racing that many people never saw because she wasn’t on the big stage,” Max said. “But the way she talked about strategy, race lines, how to feel the kart… those are things that shaped me just as much as my dad did.”
A sacrifice that shaped a champion
It’s not uncommon in sports for parents to give up their own careers to raise children, but in Verstappen’s case, the narrative carries extra weight. Max didn’t just benefit from his mother’s guidance — he benefitted because she sacrificed her entire future in the sport for him.
Had Sophie continued racing, the world might have seen one of the most successful women in motorsport history. Instead, she redirected her passion into raising and supporting one of the greatest drivers of the modern era.
And now, as Max continues to break records and dominate championships, he is increasingly aware that every trophy he lifts exists partly because of the path his mother gave up.
A story that changes the legacy of the Verstappen name
For decades, the Verstappen name has been associated with father-to-son Formula 1 lineage. But Max’s latest revelations have rewritten that story. The real truth is that both parents were exceptional racers, and if life had gone differently, it might have been Sophie — not Jos — whose name appeared on a Formula 1 entry list.
Max may joke that he “ended” her career, but beneath the humor is a deeper acknowledgment: his mother’s sacrifice laid the foundation for everything he has achieved.
And if there is one thing he knows for certain, it’s that every championship win is shared – even if her racing suit has long been packed away.
In the end, Sophie Kumpen didn’t lose her racing legacy — she passed it on.
