He achieved more in karting than Senna, Hamilton, Rosberg, Alonso the lot. He didn't just beat his 'peers' he best the best professional karters in the world in KZ. See, what you'll notice is that a lot of 'hotshots' actually don't race the best karters because they don't want it to ruin their biography. Hamilton and Rosberg had a bit of a shocker in 2001 in FSA for example.
Also, what he did in F3 in his rookie year was nothing short of incredible.
HIs dad is an ex-F1 driver, but his mum was bloody quick in a kart too. Funnily enough she won the Margutti Trophy when it meant someething. Not that you would know what that is because clearly you know f all about motorsport.
I have tried to find some, ANY, footage of Sophie Kumpen karting. Supposedly she beat numerous later F1 drivers. And not just pay drivers.
Who can help me out? Surely those big races got someone to film it back then? But then in the video title there will be Trulli or Fisichella...
Her daughter Victoria (now 14 of 15 y/o?) with Jos Verstappen has the same new top shelf genetic head start as Max. F1 sons typically get photomodels for moms. Max and Voctoria got a top karter for a mom. Victoria only got interested in karting recently but supposedly is doing OK in tests. There have been (even Dutch) F1 drivers who spent their time playing tennis up to 16, so there is hope indeed. Especially as her genes and training circumstances have been proven beyong any doubt by Max.
Not just because I'm Dutch, but as a fan of women in general, I hope Victoria will remain interested in motorsports, and find within herself motivation to do the utmost. In Max she has a great tutor, and else she can ask dad or mom. Insanely unique.
Women hold their own in 100 mile (and longer) train running. It's not all too rare for them to challenge and even win. But, those events are all about which contenders grace it with their presence. Not quite like world championship where a full representation of the global top is fighting for mere qualification.
Also in long distance swimming there are anecdotal reports of women joining or taking the lead.
When performance is based less on peak strength, women do well. F1 could be such a sport. Women in some case fly jetfighters. Quite a bit harder than modern F1 cars. And, let's not forget that women now also have gym memberships. How strong does one need to be exactly to not lose any time in an F1 race? Devise a test that all F1 drivers (barely) pass, and you'll soon have the cross fits girls posting vids of them passing the test, in good form.
Professional F1 simulators are a great tool to test women's strength. Also as they up their physical training regime.
On female karters not going anywhere after a certain age, Sophie Kumpen is a great example. She got engaged at a young age, and gave her driving career to support her man, and then raise their son, and then their daughter. Her talent is all but lost obviously, through Max, but there is no reason to suspect she could not have held her own in F3 and F3000.
Another top female driver for the would-be list: http://tinyurl.com/o3srqy4
Claudia Hürtgen, in case the link fails. Look at her 24hLM driving after a crippling Monaco crash.
Edited by Cloxxki, 10 August 2015 - 21:25.