Why Max Verstappen’s parents won’t be at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for F1 title decider

Dec 4, 2025 - 16:30

Max Verstappen has revealed that his parents won’t be in Abu Dhabi this weekend as he bids to become a five-time F1 world champion.

The Red Bull star has a chance of equaling Michael Schumacher‘s feat of winning five straight driver’s championships in the 2025 finale.

Verstappen, pictured here with his partner Kelly Piquet and sister Victoria Jane, is regularly surrounded by his family

The Dutchman claimed victory in Qatar last time out to ensure there will be a three-way fight for glory at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri in the standings to move to within just 12 points of championship leader Lando Norris with one race left.

It represents a remarkable turnaround for the 28-year-old, who declared his title hopes were over at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

Verstappen was left with a 104-point deficit to then-championship leader Piastri after finishing behind the Aussie in his home race.

However, since then, the Belgian-born ace has won five of the next nine races, while boasting a 100 per cent podium record.

Should Verstappen complete his dramatic comeback in Abu Dhabi, he’ll be celebrating without his parents, who are usually ever-present.

Why Verstappen’s family won’t be at Abu Dhabi GP

The reigning champion admitted that his unlikely title charge even caught his parents out, which is why they’re missing this weekend.

“No my parents are not here,” he explained. “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.”

Verstappen will battle both McLaren drivers for the driver’s title in Abu Dhabi

His father, Jos, won’t be present to watch his son go for glory

Verstappen later claimed that it is not in his family’s nature to give him any encouragement ahead of the pivotal title showdown.

He replied: “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!”

When asked how he has been preparing for the final race of the season, Verstappen added: “Spent some time with my daughter, figured some stuff out for GT3 for next year.

“Figured out some stuff for my sim team [Team Redline] as well, planning for next year. So yeah, just pretty straightforward stuff.”

Verstappen has reduced a 104-point deficit to just 12 ahead of the decider

Norris: I wish I had Verstappen’s parents

Verstappen’s family admission comes less than two months after his championship rival credited his parents for his four world titles.

Jos Verstappen and Sophie Kumpen both enjoyed racing careers, with the former racing intermittently in F1 from 1994 until 2003.

In an interview with The Times, Norris suggested that their combined genetics have afforded their son an advantage compared to him.

“The [Verstappen] genes are pretty damn good and if I could go back and choose how to be a better driver, I would also have a mum and dad who were racing drivers, start when you are a baby in the paddock, start karting at whatever age he did, and do more testing than everyone else,” he said.

“I would be a better driver now if I did all of those things. So, people have to catch up because he was made to be in the position he is now but he is also making the most of that and that is why he has four world championships.”