Max Verstappen was programmed to win

Raised the hard way by his father Jos, and trained for competition from a young age, Max Verstappen will have missed many stages before arriving at the summit of Olympus. But he also had to wait longer than expected before having in his hands material worthy of his immense talent.

Published on 13/12/2021 à 16:30

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The Most circuit, in the Czech Republic, has the advantage of being on the road which connects the Netherlands to Hungary. It is here that the Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) decides to launch its car de Formula 3 ahead of the official tests for the 2014 FIA European Championship, scheduled a few days later in Budapest. “ As soon as the car was broken into, we realized that we were dealing with someone special », rewinds for us Frits van Amersfoort, who has run the eponymous structure since 1975. This young talent whose driving skill immediately jumps out is none other than a certain Max Verstappen.

Max Verstappen and his father Jos at the European Championship karting 1999 © Jacky Foulatier / DPPI

At just 16 years old, the son of the former pilot of Formula 1 Jos (2 podiums in 107 Grands Prix between 1994 and 2003) already enjoys a small popularity rating after having notably won the karting world championship the previous year. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, was also an accomplished kart driver. Earlier in the winter, the Dutch chill filed down the asphalt in F. Renault 2.0 with a view to moving into the category for his first steps in single-seaters. But an excursion across the Atlantic will convince the Verstappens to move directly to Formula 3. Organized by Lawrence Stroll, today boss of the manufacturer Aston Martin and its F1 team, the Florida Winter Series takes place between the end of January and the beginning of February 2014 on different circuits scattered throughout the Sunshine State. The field does not lack pace since there are riders like future F1 drivers Lance Stroll and Nicholas latifi, the cham