Sophie and Jos, don't put him into a kart right away.
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Jos Verstappen and Sophie Kumpen met for the first time at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix on 28 May 1995. On that day, Jos's career was another disappointment, forced to abandon the race. Yet what looked like a dark day was about to take an unexpected turn. Sophie, who was recently crowned of the Andrea Margutti Trophy – where she became the third woman in history to win a major karting title – caught his attention. Between the sparkling glamour of Monaco and the distant roar of engines, something between them has been created. Their first conversation was marked by sincere curiosity and mutual admiration, sowing the seeds of a relationship that would profoundly transform their lives.
As the months went by, their exchanges became more regular, fuelled by their shared passion for motor sport. On 27 August 1995, at the Grand Prix de Spa-Francorchamps, a decisive moment sealed their history. After the race, as they walked through the paddock, the fine rain of the Ardennes enveloping the atmosphere with a sweet melancholy, Jos went to congratulate his friend Michael Schumacher, winner of the day. This is where he officially introduced Sophie as his girlfriend. Their love, born in the competitive world of racing, found a balance between rivalry and growing tenderness.
On May 24, 1996, less than a year after they met, The young couple got married. They first sealed their union in complete privacy, surrounded by a dozen close person, before organizing a more festive ceremony a two weeks later. Despite the demands of their respective careers, they shared a dream: building a life together, both on and off the track.
In March 1997, as Jos was celebrating his birthday, Sophie made a shocking announcement: she had decided to end her career in motor sport. The reason? She was pregnant with their first child. This choice, although difficult, reflected her desire to devote herself fully to her family.
A few months later, after another difficult weekend on the track – this time at the Grand Prix of Luxembourg – Jos returned home, he had barely found a semblance of respite for 24 hours that he had to leave in a hurry, but for a much more important reason: to accompany Sophie to the hospital.
Their happiness, however, did not erase the pressures and frustrations of Jos's career in the teeth. After another miserable Grand Prix, this time in Luxembourg, Jos returned to his home not far from there. But barely a day after his return, he had to leave in an emergency, not for professional reasons, but to accompany Sophie to the hospital. By the morning, the contractions had intensified, and in the early afternoon, her waters have broken, and it is in the delivery room at 1:20 pm that, without any complications, exhausted, she let herself cry when after the last push the baby cries resound. Jos watched as the midwife immediately placed the newborn baby on his wife's breast.
Laying her hands on this little body and gently stroking her child, she did not look away for a second, thinking that it was worth the sacrifice to stop the race and that she was lucky in this marriage.
The baby name was decided since a long.
Max Verstappen.
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"This afternoon Jos and Sophie became the proud parents of a healthy son. His name is Max and he weighs 3265 gram. Max Emilian, as is his full name, is 48,5 cm long. Sophie delivered Max at 13.20 without any complications. The delivery lasted for 40 minutes. Max had chosen the right moment to come out. Now Jos and Sophie can enjoy some time with Max before Jos has to leave for Japan. If Max has inherited the racing talents of both his parents a new F1 driver for the year 2020 has been born today."
That was the announce posted on the site verstappen com.
The first few days with the baby were unforgettable, even if difficult. Time passed quickly and two weeks later, Jos was in Japan for the next race. Sophie, alone with Max, was rereading the many birth wishes received. All, full of kindness, celebrated the arrival of this child. Yet, Sophie, lucid, knew that her husband's reputation was not irreproachable.
Jos was often described as a talented but unlucky driver, forced to settle for small stables. Some people recalled his difficult time at Benetton or pointed out his mistakes on the track, sometimes calling him impulsive and angry. Others, more benevolent, saw in him a combative man, carried by a whole country that hoped to see one day his triumph.
But Sophie knew one thing: with her, Jos was different. Behind his sometimes rough temperament, he was found to be tender, loving, and caring. With Max in their lives, she saw a bright future where, despite the challenges, their family would remain united. Sophie feels like a queen.
"Jos and Sophie, many congratulations on the birth of your son. Hopefully later he will become as talented as his parents and become a future champion in formula 1. Good luck with your Max."
"Jos and Sophie, good luck with your baby Max, I hope we hear a lot from him in the future."
"Hello Max, a big welcome to this fast world called life."
"I want Max to win a Formula 1 race."
"Is he as a fast boy as you ?"
"Hello Jos and Sophie. Congratulations on the birth of Max. Let's hope he will get into an F1 car, as a Dutch driver, in about 20 years."
"Jos and Sophie, best wishes with Max, Sounds nice, Max Verstappen, short and sweet. Nice, that you can enjoy this together before Susuka. And if it's going to be a bad race, 5 minutes with Max is enough to feel better again. Whatever Max may become later, if he does become a racing talent, then after JOS THE BOSS, we have FAST MAD MAX"
"Congratulations on "MAX", Maybe he will be as good a driver as Jos. (let's hope so) Then in 22 years there will be a 2nd Verstappen to admire in Formula 1."
"I hope you take good care of your son and that he becomes a real Verstappen! Does he already have a contract for the year 2019? Ha ha! Good luck further."
"Jos and Sophie, Congratulations! I read on this page that it was a quick delivery. Max clearly has that speed from his parents."
"The racing blood is really in Max! He was already a week early!!!! Sophie and Jos good luck and you just stay ahead of him! In any case, good luck and health but especially speed for now and in the future! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations on this happy occasion and that he can become a great driver, maybe even better than you. (Kidding)"
"Dear Jos and Sophie, Congratulations on your beautiful son Max. A name that indicates that he will strive to get the most out of life, just like his father Jos."
"With this victory you will surpass all Formula 1 prizes. This season can no longer be broken. I wish you a lot of luck and may the maximum be achieved often."
"Jos and Sophie, Congratulations on the birth of Max. We hope you will enjoy it a lot. And all the wishes you got for him to have an F1 career? As long as he's happy. That is the main thing. Good luck and also have fun with this beautiful change in your lives."
"I just wanted to say that I still want watch F1 in twenty years, so let Max practice a lot.
P.s [say hello to him, if he already understands that."
"Congratulations on your son, Jos and Sophie. And hopefully he will be our new Dutch World Champion."
"Congratulations on your son Max, in a few years he will be the new Dutch F1 champion."
"Good luck with your little Mad Max."
"Congratulations with your son. Hopefully he becomes a Mad Max"
"Congratulations with your son. I'm sure that in 25 years I will come across his name in the race stats."
"Sophie and Jos. Congratulations on your son, I hope that Max can someday say that his father was a F1 World Champion."
"Hello Jos and sophie, Many congratulations with the birth of your son Max. If he becomes just as much a racing miracle as his parents, it will be something great for motorsport!! But for now just enjoy the little Verstappen:))) Greetings to the very best. Edo from Almere"
"CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR SON. DOES THE CRADLE ALREADY SMELL LIKE GASOLINE?? BY THE WAY, IT DOESN'T MATTER, AS LONG AS YOU ARE VERY HAPPY !! GREETINGS FROM MARTIN GROENEVELD FROM ZALTBOMMEL"
"Jos and Sophie, congratulations on the birth of son Max. We hope the three of you will have a lot of fun. Max, lots of strength with your parents and hopefully you will soon break both of their kart track records."
"Your best result is in. Congratulations on the birth of your son Max. Good luck for the future Jos and Sophie"
"Sophie and Jos congratulations on your son ps. Max is already faster than his father, 40 min!"
"Jos and Sophie, Congratulations to Max. We hope you will enjoy him a lot. And all the wishes you have received for him to have an F1 career? As long as he becomes happy. That's the main thing. Good luck and also have fun with this beautiful change in your life."
"Max, I hope you can say one day: My father is a Formula 1 Worldchampion"
"Congratulations! But don't put him in a kart too quickly. Good luck together!"
"Dear Jos, Sophie and Max, good luck with each other, for now and in the future. I hope Max has the qualities of both of you. For me, the following is certain: THE NEW SENNA IS BORN.... Jos, good luck with your new job (being a father) and Sophie: good luck for the future. I hope for you that Jos can enjoy a good car and motorcycle again next season. I wish you good health and happiness, Erwin Amesz"
"Jos and Sophie, many congratulations on the birth of Max. I hope you can derive a lot of fun and happiness from your little (future) champion. Jos, I know you can do it, my wish would be to see you in a MClaren = unconditional success."
"Jos and Sophie, Congratulations on the little one. He will be quite a quick boy, but for now please take it easy. Mother, child and father should have a lot of rest ;-) Marcel"
"Jos & Sophie, congratulations on this happy event. (MAD MAX, (as in one of the earlier congratulations) I already find a good nickname for him !! And er, Jos, I'm sure that despite a very weak engine in Japan, this will make you a lot faster. "I will keep my thumbs up for you as far as '98 is concerned. SEE YA !!"
"I hope Max (not taken from Mad Max, right?) Will be a healthy source of inspiration for your career!"
"Congratulations to your son. And then hope that later he will be as good at racing as his father!! Greetings Martijn!! Ps. I would love to get an email from you Jos!!"
"Jos and Sophie, Congratulations on the birth of Max. P.S. Max = maximum speed = go to the maximum"
Her smile did not leave her face for a second, realizing her new life. And then it was the disappointment,
The vast majority of messages were only related to the race. That later Max will become a formula 1 driver. It would be amazing, but right now it's just her baby. Her son who was born just a few days ago. And people are already putting pressure on him. This child needs love, not a future that others have decided for him.
"Many congratulations to your son, may he enjoy his childhood. Don't put him into a kart straight away. Good luck with the little one. Greetings."
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Small prologue so no dialogue. I hope you liked it. For now it is rather quiet, do not you think? Well, unfortunately Jos will soon start his crimes...
All the birth wishes come from threads of @ maxstappn and @ verstayppen both on X
In each chapter I will put at the end pictures that date from the written period. For now Max has only just been born so here are some pictures from 1997... barely 3 months of life for our Maxie... waiting for him to grow in the next chapters!
[CANNOT PUT PICTURES ON AO3 FOR NOW, COME SEE THEM ON WATTPAD (I will start soon posting them on tumblr)]
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