Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen claims the Dutch driver was ‘ready’ to be F1 world champion at 21

Max Verstappen's father Jos Verstappen insisted that the Red Bull driver was ready to win the F1 world title at the age of 21 back in 2018..

Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen claims the Dutch driver was ‘ready’ to be F1 world champion at 21

Max Verstappen(L) and Jos Verstappen(R)

Max Verstappen shocked the sporting world when he made his F1 debut in 2015 at the age of 17. Red Bull had faith in the Dutch driver to become an F1 world champion in the future. Verstappen exceeded expectations of many as he dominated the sport in recent years. Now, Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen has affirmed that his son was ready to win in F1 years ago.

The reigning world champion won his first title in 2021 at the age of 24. Jos Verstappen claimed that the Dutch driver was prepared to become a world title as early as 2018 when he was 21. One could consider this to be a bold claim. However, Max Verstappen had managed to get under the skin of Daniel Ricciardo in 2018 which eventually led to the Australian leaving Red Bull.

I think Max was ready to be a world champion at 21. 
Jos Verstappen told Verstappen.com

Jos Verstappen was asked if his son could improve in the remainder of the 2024 season. The ex-F1 driver claimed that with experience a driver could get better. However, the 52-year-old was unsure if Max Verstappen could really improve. The three-time world champion shattered multiple records in his dominant 2023 campaign.

That’s a difficult question to answer. With experience you can improve, but can he get much better? I don’t know.
Jos Verstappen stated

Jos Verstappen reveals Max Verstappen’s ‘we’ll see’ approach

Max Verstappen’s dream of becoming an F1 world champion was supported by his father throughout his life. However, Jos Verstappen had faced backlash for his rather hard stance in preparing his kid. The ex-F1 driver had even abandoned his 14-year-old son at a gas station for losing a race.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)

Jos Verstappen claimed that Max Verstappen has been rather relaxed when it came to race preparation since his karting days. The 52-year-old reckoned it was as if his son didn’t really care. The ex-F1 driver affirmed that this was the 26-year-old’s ‘we’ll see’ approach.’

What I see in Max now, I’d seen in go-karts. But off-track, I see a very relaxed guy, almost looking like he doesn’t really care... He doesn’t want to be occupied with lots of things. 'We’ll see' is Max’s approach.
Jos Verstappen affirmed

Certainly, Max Verstappen’s approach has worked for him since his childhood. The Dutch driver rose up the motorsport ladder at a young age and went on dominate the pinnacle of motorsport. However, the three-time world champion would be looking to continue his successful run this season by winning a fourth title in a row.

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