Sophie Kumpen
Belgian racing driver (born 1975)
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Key Takeaways
- Sophie-Marie Kumpen (born 30 October 1975) is a Belgian former racing driver and kart racer.
- Born and raised in Hasselt, Kumpen is the daughter of Robert Kumpen, former chairman of KRC Genk, and the cousin of racing driver Anthony.
- She married Jos Verstappen the following year and retired from racing upon the birth of her son Max in September 1997.
- Since retiring from motor racing, Kumpen has taken up a career as a social worker at the OCMW in Maaseik.
- She is the daughter of Robert Kumpen, former chairman of association football club KRC Genk.
Sophie-Marie Kumpen (born 30 October 1975) is a Belgian former racing driver and kart racer. She is the former wife of Dutch Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, and mother to four-time World Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen.
Born and raised in Hasselt, Kumpen is the daughter of Robert Kumpen, former chairman of KRC Genk, and the cousin of racing driver Anthony. Kumpen began her career in kart racing, competing at four Karting World Championships and winning the Andrea Margutti Trophy in 1995, becoming the third woman in history to win a major international karting title after Susanna Raganelli and Cathy Muller. She married Jos Verstappen the following year and retired from racing upon the birth of her son Max in September 1997.
Kumpen returned to racing in 2013, competing in the Formido Swift Cup in the Netherlands before suffering a career-ending injury at Zandvoort. Since retiring from motor racing, Kumpen has taken up a career as a social worker at the OCMW in Maaseik.
Early life
Sophie-Marie Kumpen was born on 30 October 1975 in Hasselt, Belgium. She is the daughter of Robert Kumpen, former chairman of association football club KRC Genk. Her uncle, Paul Kumpen, and his son, Anthony, were both rally and racing drivers, respectively. Paul is the former co-owner of Ridley Bikes and founder of PK Carsport, and Anthony is a two-time champion of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
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