We all know Max Verstappen as the 2-time reigning Formula 1 champion. We also know that his father was also a Formula 1 driver. As it turned out the Verstappen family were pretty close to a particular Formula 1 legend. Jos Verstappen and Michael Schumacher were teammates during the 1994 season.
In 2994, Michael Schumacher would go on to win his first Championship with the Benetton F1 team. This was also Jos Verstappen‘s first year in the world of Formula 1. He signed with the Benetton team as their test driver. However, an accident during pre-season testing involving Benneton’s second driver, JJ Lehto would see Verstappen drive alongside Schumacher during the first couple of races of the season.
Watching Mick Schumacher and Max Verstappen battle each other during #SilverstoneGP reminded me of this clip where Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen were asked what would they do if their kids wanted to get into Formula 1 pic.twitter.com/6Tbsu0XoMw
— Alee (@comrade_pepsi) July 3, 2022
At the time, Jos Verstappen was neither married nor had children. The 1994 season was the start of Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen’s friendship. A few years down the road, they would still remain friends. Their families would even go on holidays together during the early 2000s. Max Verstappen even called Michael Schumacher “Uncle Michael”
Michael Schumacher giving his superpowers to a young Max Verstappen pic.twitter.com/LEzwM3twK2
— DANNYonTWT (@DANNYonPC) June 25, 2023
There is also an adorable video of a young Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher meeting during a Formula 1 Grand Prix with Sophie Kumpen and Corrina Schumacher in the background. This video warmed the hearts of all Formula 1 fans. A future Champion meeting the then-current Champion.
Fans react to Max Verstappen meeting Michael Schumacher
Here are some of the fan reactions to Max Verstappen meeting Michael Schumacher:
Passing of the torch!
— Candice Eva Wiliams (@Candice_Eva_) September 15, 2021
Schumi to Max : Remember a win is a win even if it was handed to you on a platter after snatching if from someone more deserving #AbuDhabiGP #formule1 #MasiOUT @
— Jackson Tolaram (@jackson_tolaram) December 12, 2021
Baby Max is so cuuute 🥺🥺🥺
— Shawrry for Big Appetite (@Murugi___) December 12, 2021
Jos and Michael were good friend at that time and dreamed about Mick and Max going wheel to wheel in F1
— Principino (@YNWMellyMelo) December 13, 2021
— CDHerres (@cdheres) December 12, 2021
Reddit user @OldWiseMann commented: “Here all talent was passed on. Luckily Michael gave it back after 2006”. This video was taken during the early 2000s which was the start of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s Championship run.
At the time, none of the fans would have imagined that little boy growing up to be one of the best drivers in modern Formula 1. He was involved in a heated battle with another 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton in 2021 during which he won his first Championship.
“It was great. I still have positive memories of those weekends today” Said Max Verstappen during an interview. He went on to say, “I was three or four years old at the time. I just knew him as Uncle Michael. He was very nice. He very much was a family man. But I never saw him as the record world champion, I wasn’t aware of that. You can see that in the old photos and videos that we have at home.”
Jos Verstappen and Michael Schumacher’s friendship led to Max Verstappen growing up around Michael Schumacher who is arguably the GOAT of Formula 1. Today we see Jos Verstappen and Michaels Schumacher’s sons in the world of Formula 1. Max Verstappen and Mick Schumacher shared the grid during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Although Mick Schumacher was not able to find a seat for 2023, he will be looking to get back to the grid in 2024.