Verstappen's mother admits her son 'has become a man'

During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen was present, but Max Verstappen's mother, Sophie Kumpen, didn't miss a second of the race at home either. Verstappen's maturity has certainly helped this season, and Kumpen has admitted she is proud of that.

Verstappen's love for car racing does not only come from father Jos, but his mother too, who used to race as well. She eventually gave up her career to raise her children and assist her husband, but she is very proud of her son's career and enjoys his adventures. Moreover, she is incredibly proud of his performance at the last GP, as Lewis Hamilton was clearly the stronger one. "Max fought like a lion, unyielding and not thinking about giving up for a single moment," she says to Het Laatste Nieuws.

The mother of the world champion is perhaps most proud of how he has remained so calm, despite there being incredible tension: "He has become a 'guy' this year. [He] never gets excited anymore, always looks at it calmly." According to her, this is partly because of his age, but also because of his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. A man can change in a relationship with a woman who already has a child, his mother said.

Candles lit

Verstappen's mother is known for lighting candles for her son. In the documentary 'Whatever it Takes', she revealed that she often lights a candle before the race. In the last week of the season she did this so often that she lost count: "I can't count the candles I've lit this week." The Belgian does feel that the angels helped the 24-year-old driver to victory.