“One of the hardest periods of my life,” Max Verstappen admits to having a tough time seeing his father in prison

Max Verstappen has revealed that seeing his father in prison was extremely tough for him.

“One of the hardest periods of my life,” Max Verstappen admits to having a tough time seeing his father in prison

Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen

Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 World Champion, had recently shed light on the phase when his father, Jos Verstappen, was locked in prison. Senior Verstappen was locked in prison in the year 2008, on suspicion of trying to kill his ex-wife Sophie Kumpen through his car. It was an extremely difficult time for the whole Verstappen family, and Max feels that seeing his father in prison took a heavy toll on him as well.

Max Verstappen has always been close to his father, as he was the one who introduced him to the world of motorsports. The Red Bull driver, while talking about the time when he had to visit his father in prison, said, “Of course, it felt strange to visit dad and see him like that, It was definitely one of the hardest periods of my life. But I think it made me stronger in the end.”

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The 25-year-old has made it crystal clear that it was extremely difficult for him to see his father locked up in prison. Moreover, has even admitted that it was one of the most difficult phases of his life. But despite the tough times, he ardently believes that seeing his father in prison forced him to develop a stronger personality as a person.

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Max Verstappen has always been vocal whenever he notices something wrong in F1 and maintains a hard exterior while talking about certain things. Taking into account that the Dutchman has admitted to developing a strong personality after his father’s prison stint, it could be one of the reasons why Verstappen talks earnestly more often during F1 weekends.

Jos Verstappen’s take on seeing Max Verstappen visiting him in prison

While Max Verstappen has revealed that seeing his father in prison was a tough time for him, Jos Verstappen, while talking about the same, said, “It was tough in custody. I told myself this must not happen again. It changed me. I was forced to look at myself in the mirror, and it opened my eyes. I needed it to understand what is important in life. It was obviously difficult for Max. But I also think it motivated him. He wanted to show that he could do it even without me.”

Jos Verstappen
Jos Verstappen (Via Redbull)

Jos Verstappen has made it known that his time in prison, completely changed him as a person, as it forced him to develop a new perspective toward life. Moreover, feels that it was at that time, that he made a promise to himself, that he would never see a prison again in his life. From his son’s point of view, Jos has accepted that it was extremely tough for him as well.

Considering the comments of the father-son duo, it is clear that they don’t wish for the torrid time to return once again. Jos and Max think that they suffered enough during that time and do not want to have a repeat of it again, as it would completely shatter them.

Max Verstappen has been doing incredibly well as an F1 driver, and his dad is immensely proud of the brilliant job that he has done at Red Bull. Jos is now and then seen in the Red Bull garage supporting his son.

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