Max Verstappen is one of the most recognizable drivers in Formula 1, but his family history has left fans wondering: Is Max Verstappen Belgian or Dutch? The answer is a little more complex than many realize.
Born in Hasselt, Belgium, he drives under the Dutch flag and has represented the Netherlands in his professional career. He is a popular rider among both the Dutch and the Belgian fans, especially at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, where he has a mixed Dutch-Belgian heritage.
Max Verstappen's Ethnicity and Family Background
Max Verstappen was born in Hasselt, Belgium, on September 30, 1997.
His father, Jos Verstappen, was a Dutchman and competed in over 100 Formula 1 races in the 1990s and early 2000s. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, is Belgian and is considered one of the most successful female kart racers of her time.
Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images
Due to his parents' backgrounds, Verstappen has Dutch and Belgian heritage. Ethnically, he is from both sides of the border.
As a child, Verstappen spent a lot of his childhood in Belgium and raced in karting throughout Europe. He was raised in a multicultural environment and later chose to race for the Netherlands.
Why Does Max Verstappen Race Under the Dutch Flag?
Born in Belgium, Verstappen has always said that his racing roots are linked to his father.
When asked about his choice in the past, Verstappen said he "always felt more Dutch" and that he spent more time travelling and racing with his father than at home, which is why the Netherlands was a natural choice when he picked his nationality on his FIA Super Licence.
The move has been very popular with Dutch fans, who have flooded circuits around the world in Red Bull orange. The "Orange Army" is a regular presence at the grandstands of races such as Zandvoort, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Red Bull Ring.
Although he is racing for the Netherlands, Verstappen's Belgian heritage remains significant because of his mother.