VERSTAPPEN’S MUM DELETES CHEATING POST
SOPHIE Kumpen, mother of two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen, aimed a jibe at Sergio Perez commenting on this year’s cheating rumours before quickly deleting the posts.
The fractures between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez could be at risk of widening after the reigning F1 world champion’s mother waded into the war.
Sophie Kumpen, a former champion go-karter and ex-wife of Jos Verstappen, couldn’t help but sling some mud in the wake of Sunday’s dispute at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. ‘Checo’ was understandably frustrated when his driving partner—who had long wrapped up his second world title— refused to give up sixth place in order to aid Perez’s hopes of finishing second in this season’s driver standings.
Verstappen has been widely panned for the bizarre dismissal, but the tensions turned personal when Kumpen took to Instagram this week. In a since-deleted comment, she replied to a post concerning Perez, alleging to her 100,000 followers: “And then in the evening cheating on his wife.”
The remark appeared to reference another Red Bull controversy from May when video circulated of Perez with unknown women following his victory at the Monaco GP. The Mexican ace was seen dancing with his hands on one woman with their faces close to one another with Perez forced to publicly apologise to his wife, Carola Martinez.
“It was a bad party that I didn’t know how to control at the height of the person that I am, but it was just that, a very bad party,” said the former McLaren driver.
“People close to me know my values and the type of person that I am. For those who ask me, we are more united than ever, me and my wife.
“And for those who just want to hurt us, I wish you the best. Thank you all for your love and I apologize to all the people who love me because those videos don’t represent me not at all.
We will not talk about this topic anymore, which only makes us forget the great moment we are living as a family. Thank you.”
Engineering staff could be heard questioning Verstappen’s refusal to give up sixth in Sao Paulo, while Perez replied his teammate had ‘shown who he really is.’ Kumpen’s comments are sure to go down badly with Red Bull’s No. 2, who has been a loyal deputy to the Dutchman since moving to Milton Keynes in 2021