Jos Verstappen Clears Up Infamous Story About Leaving His Son Max At Gas Station

Friday, 10 January 2025 at 13:13

Max Verstappen's dad, Jos Verstappen, shared his version of the infamous story about leaving his son at the gas station in Italy when he was young.

Speaking to Formula 1 recently, Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen explained that he had a strict upbringing but is grateful for it as he "needed to be pushed" by his father.

While the four-time world champion is thankful for his father and probably wouldn't be where he is today without him, F1 fans tend to dislike Jos Verstappen for having been too harsh on his son.

In 2022, the 27-year-old shared a story about how his father left him at a gas station in Italy following a disappointing go-kart race.

Many karting races take place in Italy, and the Dutchman would travel with his father in a van on weekends from the Netherlands to Italy and back to attend them.

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Young Max Verstappen didn't always win when he was younger, and the story goes that he would argue with his dad on the way back home after one particular unsuccessful race to the point when Jos Verstappen pulled off at the gas station and told Max to get out. As reported by ESPN, the four-time world champion said:

"My dad said, 'Stop talking, I don't want to hear anything, just sit in the back, I don't want to hear anything about it."

"But of course, I kept on trying to have a conversation until at one point he pulled off at a fuel station and said: 'Get out. Get out and I do not want to hear you anymore.' So he kicked me out and he drove off… and this is in the south of Italy."

After being left at the gas station, Max called his mother to come for him, but his dad returned in a while and ultimately took him home.

"My dad returned with the van and was like: 'Get in, but I do not want to hear a word.'"

Speaking to F1 Insider during the winter break between the 2024 and 2025 F1 seasons, Jos Verstappen felt it was time to clarify the infamous story. He said:

"I think it's time to clear up that story. The truth is: I didn't leave him there. I just didn't speak to him for a week."

"Was that too harsh? Not according to Max. He felt that my attitude had prepared him better for Formula 1."

"That's why dealing with Helmut Marko, who is also known as an extremely tough guy, didn't bother him anymore."

"He also appreciates the fact that we kept training with the kart on dry tires on a wet track. I only sense gratitude from him when it comes to his childhood with me."