Max Verstappen has counted himself out of the running for a local sports award in his native Belgian province of Limburg. Although born in Belgium, the country of his mother, the 18-year-old F1 sensation now regards himself as a Dutchman and races under the national flag of The Netherlands.
And now his father, famous Dutchman Jos Verstappen, says Max is not interested in being nominated for the best sportsman of the year award presented annually by the Belgian province of Limburg. "In 2013, Max was European and world karting champion but we heard nothing from them (Limburg). Which is strange, because every Limburg athlete who does such a performance would be eligible for the sports prize," Jos told the 1Limburg publication.
"Now that it would make world news, he would suddenly be eligible? This is not right and therefore we decline the nomination," Verstappen senior added. Limburg's sports awards will be announced in December. (GMM)
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
This sort of escapes my grasp. Why would someone turn down a privilegue like this? "Late" or not, wouldnt it be an honour to even be nominated to a prize like that? Surely it isnt so bad that they didnt consider nominating a 16 year old boy?
españa1958
Posts: 77
Correction.
Limburg is a territory, with a part in Belgium and the Netherlands. In this case Max is, or better said was nominated for the best sportman in Dutch Limburg (one of the 12 dutch provinces).
Max is son of a mixed marriage, and has therefore the double nationality, but recently turned 18 of age, he chooses to continue with the Dutch nationality.