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Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen goes into the 2025 season finale at Abu Dhabi just 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris. As the Dutchman arrived at the Yas Marina circuit, he revealed the reason. Why his family will not be attending the season finale.
Verstappen is still in with a good chance of winning the 2025 title following McLaren's disastrous strategy at the Qatar GP. Lando Norris led Max Verstappen by 25 points after the sprint race at Lusail, but the gap only remained 12 points as the Briton finished P4 in the main race.
Verstappen won the 2024 title after winning the Las Vegas GP, but neither of his parents was at the race. However, at the very next race in Qatar, his mother Sophie Kumpen, sister Victoria, and girlfriend Kelly Piquet attended the race.
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As Max Verstappen arrived in the paddock at Yas Marina on Thursday for the media day, he revealed that his family will not be present for the Abu Dhabi GP, and in case he wins his fifth title. Detailing the reason behind it, he said,
“No, my parents are not here. My dad is rallying in Africa and my mum, I guess it was not planned. I also did not plan to be in the title fight until the end, so here we are! I think after Zandvoort everything was a bit cancelled I would say. My mum is at home happy with the dogs. You can see a lot on TV anyway.”
The four-time F1 champion’s father, Jos Verstappen, is a former F1 driver who raced alongside Michael Schumacher, and has continued his passion for Motorsports in rallying. Max Verstappen was over 100 points behind the championship-leading McLaren driver after the Dutch GP, and hence his parents cancelled the plans for the Abu Dhabi GP since it wasn't expected that the Dutchman would be in contention in the troublesome RB21.
“They don't need to motivate me”: Max Verstappen on whether his family encouraged him ahead of the title decider in Abu Dhabi
After Max Verstappen revealed that his family will not be present at the Abu Dhabi GP, the Red Bull star was questioned whether his family members sent any messages of encouragement to him ahead of the all-important season finale. He responded,
“We are not like that. They know when I am sitting in the car I will give everything I have. I just speak to them about other stuff. They don’t need to motivate me, it doesn’t really work like that. Of course they always support me and my mum always lights a candle before every race weekend, but I guess they trust their son!”
Verstappen's title rivals, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, came out and confirmed that their friends and family will be present at the Abu Dhabi GP.
