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Is Max Verstappen half Belgian? The story behind the Dutchman's roots
He was born in Belgium, but races for the Netherlands. Why did Max Verstappen choose to represent one country's flag instead of the other? Find out the background behind his career-defining choice.
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Racing driver Max Verstappen always gets a good reception at the Belgian Grand Prix. While he calls the Dutch event his home one, his roots lie on the border between the two countries. Here is a breakdown of Max Verstappen’s story and why he chose to represent the Netherlands throughout his racing career.
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Is Max Verstappen Dutch or Belgian?
Though born in Belgium, Max's meaningful living happened in the Netherlands
© Mark Thompson / Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Following the race weekend at Spa, fans have been questioning whether Max Verstappen is truly Dutch or Belgian. While he famously identifies as a Dutch driver, he was actually born in Hasselt, a city in Belgium with a population of around 80,000, which is close to the nation’s border with the Netherlands.
His father, former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, is Dutch, and his mother, Sophie Kumpen, also a former racing driver, is Belgian. Therefore, Max has dual nationality status, and could represent either of the countries.
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Growing up between Belgium and the Netherlands
Max spent a lot of his time as a kid on go-kart tracks in the Netherlands
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
As a child of two successful racing drivers, motorsports were always going to be an influential part of the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver’s life.
In an interview with Max and his father for news.verstappen.com, the younger Verstappen said: “I just saw him as my dad and not as a Formula One driver. From a young age, before I even started myself, I saw a lot of racing around me. I was a lot on the go-kart tracks and there was a lot of racing involved.” A lot of that racing took place in the Netherlands.
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Why did Max choose to race for the Netherlands instead of Belgium?
There was no doubt in young Max's mind: he wanted to be a Dutch racer
© Philip Platzer / Red Bull Content Pool
While Max is as much Belgian as he is Dutch in terms of background, he’s made it clear that he considers himself to be Dutch. There have been 24 Belgian drivers in Formula One history, and just 17 that identified as Dutch, the latter of which includes Max and his father.
A quote from 2015, which has been showcased regularly in debates about his nationality, explains his feelings: "I actually only lived in Belgium to sleep, but during the day I went to the Netherlands and I also had my friends there. I was raised as a Dutchman, and that's how I feel."
The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver was kart racing from a young age, travelling all across Europe, but he often raced in the Netherlands alongside his father. That period of his life is a core part of who he is today, both professionally and personally, so that side of his nationality came to the forefront.
I was raised as a Dutchman, and that's how I feel
Max’s dad shared the same sentiment, writing as such in a column for Dutch newspaper De Tellegraf. He said: “It's true that Max has both nationalities, because Sophie and I were married when Max was born. However, he races and always has raced with a Dutch racing license so from that perspective he is more Dutch than Belgian. And that is the way he feels about it too. If the Dutch play a game of football against Belgium, he'll support the Netherlands.”
As Jos says, his son has been racing with a Dutch racing license since the beginning of his career, so he has continued to do so during his time in Formula One.
Max feels Dutch, the nationality of his father, Jos
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Interestingly, in an interview with redbullracing.com in 2020, prior to any of his Formula One World Championship titles, Max was asked what his favourite country is. He said, “I guess I have to say Holland, right? There are so many amazing countries, though, that I can’t really say one as I haven’t visited them all. Maybe one day I will give you a better answer!”
Throughout the most successful period of his career, he’s continued to represent the Netherlands as a driver, being welcomed at the Dutch Grand Prix like a hero. He’s well supported throughout the world, notably so at Oracle Red Bull Racing’s home race in Austria, too, but none can compete with the reception he receives at Zandvoort.
Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring 24 Hours
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How Max became a hero to fans on both sides of the border
Orange Army: fans cheer Max in the Netherlands' national colour
© Philip Platzer / Red Bull Ring
Max’s Belgian heritage means he continues to enjoy a significant following in Belgium, too. He’s one of a select few drivers to have raced with dual nationality. Lando Norris also has Belgian roots through his mother, but races as British.
Therefore, Oracle Red Bull Racing’s driver is well supported at the Belgian GP, and among Belgian Formula One fans generally, but that support does not outweigh his Dutch support. Crowds at the Belgian GP will often be littered with Oracle Red Bull Racing t-shirts and hats, showcasing the widespread support in the country.
In short, while Max Verstappen can be considered both Belgian and Dutch due to his background, he is steadfast in his representation of the Netherlands in his racing career.
There have been 17 Dutch drivers in F1 history, including Max and Jos
© Clive Mason / Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
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