Max Verstappen is preparing for a defining weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the reigning world champion will do so without his parents in attendance. The Dutch driver revealed on Thursday that his family had not planned to travel to the season finale, largely because he never expected to still be fighting for the title at this stage.
The Red Bull star arrives at Yas Marina unexpectedly back in the championship hunt. McLaren’s strategic missteps at the Qatar Grand Prix saw Lando Norris’s advantage shrink from 25 points after the sprint to just 12 following his P4 finish in the main race. The shift opened the door for Verstappen and intensified a title battle that once seemed all but determined.
Verstappen, who secured the 2024 championship with victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, is now contending for what would be his fifth world crown. Yet his family presence—often a familiar sight during pivotal moments of his career—will be noticeably absent this weekend.
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen explained the situation with his trademark ease. “No, my parents aren’t here,” he said. “My dad is rallying in Africa and my mum, I guess, it wasn’t planned. I also didn’t plan to be in the title fight until the end, so here we are!”
His father, Jos Verstappen, is a former Formula One driver who raced alongside Michael Schumacher and has since kept his motorsport ambitions alive through rallying. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, a former karting prodigy, is spending the weekend at home. “My mum is at home, happy with the dogs,” Verstappen added with a laugh. “You can see a lot on TV anyway.”
The comments offered a rare personal glimpse into the Verstappen family dynamic, which has been central to Max’s rise through the ranks. Although neither parent attended the Las Vegas race where he sealed the 2024 crown, his mother Sophie, his sister Victoria and partner Kelly Piquet were present at the following round in Qatar.
For many fans, their absence in Abu Dhabi may appear unusual given the gravity of the weekend. But Verstappen insisted there was no deeper meaning behind it, only logistics and timing. The season’s unpredictability, including fluctuating form across teams and chaotic mid-season weather-affected races, shaped a championship run that Verstappen himself did not anticipate extending into the final event.
His light-hearted remarks also highlighted how Red Bull had initially struggled to keep up with McLaren earlier in the year. A string of inconsistent results left Verstappen trailing Norris significantly, until Qatar shifted momentum decisively. The Dutch driver has been quick to credit his team’s resilience.
“There were moments this season where things didn’t look great for us,” he said. “But we kept working, improving, and putting ourselves in a position to capitalise when opportunities came. Qatar was one of those moments.”
As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix approaches, the championship picture remains delicately poised. Norris continues to fight for his maiden title, despite McLaren’s costly tactical mistakes. Verstappen, meanwhile, is applying pressure with characteristic precision, aiming to round off the season the same way he did in 2024—on top.
The absence of family, he insisted, has no bearing on his mindset. Verstappen has long been known for his calm approach to high-stakes environments, and Thursday’s media briefing reflected exactly that. “It doesn’t change anything for me,” he said. “I’m here to do my job. My family supports me no matter where they are.”
As the paddock buzzes with anticipation, Verstappen’s words underline an important reality: his focus remains entirely on the race, not the grandstands. Whether or not his family is present, the Dutch champion is ready for whatever the season finale brings.
With a fierce title fight, a resurgent Red Bull and a determined McLaren, the Abu Dhabi GP promises a dramatic finish. And Verstappen, alone but unshaken, stands once again at the centre of Formula One’s most compelling storyline.