Max Verstappen‘s early-career battle with Lewis Hamilton shaped the Dutchman into the dominant force he is today, according to his father Jos. The four-time world champion has earned praise from Formula 1’s newest arrivals for his mentorship and support, particularly from rookies like Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto. Jos Verstappen highlights a stark contrast between the encouragement Max now offers young drivers and the reception his son received during his own debut season in 2015. The lack of support during those formative years, combined with the intense rivalry against Hamilton, ultimately forged the championship-winning mentality that defines Verstappen today.
Verstappen’s role as mentor to F1’s next generation
The 2025 season welcomed five rookies to the Formula 1 grid, and several have publicly acknowledged Verstappen’s guidance. Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli both described the Red Bull Racing driver as a father figure to new arrivals. Antonelli, now driving for Mercedes alongside George Russell, spoke about Verstappen’s willingness to offer advice and reassurance during the challenging transition to F1.
Jos Verstappen confirmed this supportive approach reflects his son’s character. The former F1 driver explained that Max makes no distinction between teammates, rivals or newcomers when offering assistance. This open-handed mentorship stands in sharp contrast to the competitive environment Max encountered when he arrived in the sport nearly a decade ago.
The elder Verstappen noted how meaningful such gestures are for young drivers entering the most demanding racing category in the world. Having someone with championship experience provide genuine support helps rookies navigate the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with an F1 seat.
Hamilton’s role in forging a champion’s mindset
When Verstappen entered Formula 1 in 2015 with Toro Rosso, he became the youngest driver ever to compete in the championship at 17 years and 166 days old. His aggressive overtaking moves immediately caught attention, but the teenager faced a largely solitary journey through his early seasons. According to Jos, only Fernando Alonso extended meaningful support during that period.
The lack of mentorship from established stars forced Verstappen to develop resilience and self-reliance from the beginning. Jos revealed that his son had to fight for every bit of respect and recognition, particularly when the battles with Hamilton intensified from 2020 onwards. That season saw Verstappen score multiple podiums as Red Bull closed the performance gap to Mercedes.
The 2021 championship fight between Verstappen and Hamilton became one of the most controversial and dramatic title battles in Formula 1 history. The two drivers went wheel-to-wheel throughout the season, with the championship decided in Abu Dhabi’s final lap. Jos believes this pressure-cooker environment accelerated Max’s development as a complete racing driver. Rather than viewing the absence of support as a disadvantage, the Verstappen family sees it as character-building adversity.
How early struggles shaped a four-time champion
Jos Verstappen emphasized that he harbours no resentment about the reception Max received during his rookie years. The experienced racer believes the challenging circumstances directly contributed to his son’s current status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Verstappen captured his fourth consecutive world championship in 2024, cementing his position among F1’s elite.
The mental fortitude required to challenge Hamilton and Mercedes without extensive paddock support forced Verstappen to mature rapidly. He learned to trust his own judgment, develop thick skin against criticism, and maintain focus despite intense media scrutiny. These qualities became instrumental when facing the seven-time world champion in direct combat.
Jos noted that having Hamilton as a primary rival proved invaluable for Max’s growth. Fighting against one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers demanded peak performance and strategic thinking from an early stage. The experience gained through those battles equipped Verstappen with tools that continue to serve him today behind the wheel of the RB21.
The contrast between generations
The difference between Verstappen’s early experience and his current mentorship of rookies highlights how F1 culture has evolved. Today’s grid features more collaboration and mutual respect between drivers of different experience levels. Verstappen’s willingness to support newcomers like Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Oliver Bearman reflects this shift.
Jos acknowledged that Max genuinely enjoys helping young drivers navigate their first seasons. The world champion understands the challenges they face because he lived through similar pressures, albeit without the same support network. This personal experience makes his advice more valuable and relatable to drivers finding their feet in F1.
The 2025 season has brought significant changes to the grid, with Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and multiple rookies filling vacated seats. Verstappen’s status as the sport’s dominant force, combined with his approachable nature, makes him a natural point of reference for newcomers seeking guidance on technical preparation, media management, and race craft.
Verstappen’s competitive edge heading into 2025
As Verstappen begins his partnership with new Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson, the lessons learned from his formative years remain relevant. The mental strength developed through early adversity continues to define his approach to racing. Jos believes this foundation, built partly through the Hamilton rivalry, gives Max an edge that extends beyond pure driving talent.
The four-time champion enters the 2025 campaign aiming for a fifth consecutive title. With Hamilton now at Ferrari and Mercedes fielding rookie Antonelli, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Red Bull’s RB21 faces strong challenges from Ferrari’s SF-25 and McLaren’s MCL39, setting up another intense championship battle.
Verstappen’s ability to perform under pressure, honed during those early struggles and the epic 2021 showdown, positions him well for whatever challenges emerge this season. The self-reliance Jos referenced becomes particularly valuable when development battles intensify or strategic calls go wrong.
The elder Verstappen’s comments reveal pride in how his son transformed early difficulties into competitive advantages. Rather than becoming bitter about the lack of support during his rookie years, Max channelled that experience into becoming both a better driver and a more generous colleague to F1’s next generation.
