The fourth world title for his son felt different for Jos Verstappen compared to the previous ones. This time, there was no boundless euphoria. The fluctuating performances and the politics behind the scenes had an impact on the team’s dynamics and, consequently, the car. “At times, it was definitely difficult to deal with everything,” he admits.
Jos, to start with: how did you experience the season?
“Yes, it was certainly exciting. The year turned out very differently than people initially thought. I indicated quite early on that things were not going in the right direction, including the on-track performances. I saw it coming. I couldn’t change anything from the sidelines. It was beyond my control, but it was clearly visible to everyone.”
This year is quite a contrast compared to the course of the previous season. It must have been a different experience for you. Last season, it was probably more relaxed for you to watch from a distance?
“Absolutely. At times, I was really frustrated. Things were happening that showed the performances were going in the wrong direction. Sometimes, it was quite difficult not to pick up the phone and call someone. So yes, at times, it was definitely difficult to deal with everything. We’ve had more enjoyable seasons when Max became champion.”
In a sense, this season might have been more enjoyable for Max as a driver. After all, he had to overcome more resistance.
“As a driver, you’re always dependent on the car you’re given. Max had to work harder for it, that’s for sure. On the other hand, the weekends were also tougher for him, especially compared to an extremely successful year like 2023. Both on and off the track, it was a challenging year. And a learning year? You just see a lot of things going wrong. Is that educational? Well, not so much for us.”
Jos Verstappen: ‘Max has good self-control’
– How do you think Max has handled everything?
“Very impressive, actually. He has good self-control and is very stable in that respect. He doesn’t care much about what is said and written about him. He hears and sees it all, but it doesn’t affect him. Of course, he is constantly asked about all sorts of things and therefore needs to know what’s going on. But I think Max Verstappen always handles that very well. He has a good attitude and is mentally very strong.”
– Suppose you were in his shoes. You seem to me more of a type that…
“I always give Max my opinion, how I see things. But actually, I don’t even need to do that, we think quite similarly. Max is not much different from me, in how we think about things. Only, he is neater, calmer, and more balanced.”
“Max is fortunately outspoken and says what he thinks. I appreciate that. And I find it impressive in this sport. Look around, not everyone does that. Many drivers beat around the bush and don’t say what they think. Max is an open book.”
– How do you view friendships in the paddock? This season there has been a lot of talk about the friendship between Max and Lando Norris in light of their rivalry. After their clash in Austria, they said: our friendship remains intact. But can that continue as the rivalry intensifies?
“It becomes more difficult, I think. Of course, the world title was at stake for a long time. Max knows that’s the case, he’s quite relaxed about it. He knows well the dividing line between the relationship off and on the track. He’s very mature about it.”
Jos Verstappen: ‘I had no friends in Formula 1’
Does friendship even exist in the paddock?
“Looking back at my time in Formula 1, I had no friends. At least not in a way that I kept in touch with them afterwards. Not at all. I choose my friends myself. However, I do get the impression that most of the guys on the grid now get along well off the track. Most of them have known each other for a long time, from karting. There are about ten guys with whom he always karted. So they are a bit closer to each other, but everyone still has their own life and does their own thing. However, Max Verstappen is quite sociable off the track and is nice and normal to everyone. The relationships between drivers were quite different in my time.”
Was it difficult for Max to keep his own team together at Red Bull during a season like this?
“You’re mainly talking about the engineers he’s been working with for a long time. That remains the same. Max doesn’t care much about peripheral issues. He’s very easy-going about it and doesn’t worry at all. Until the performance is no longer there, then he comes. Then you’ll hear him. And that’s how it should be.”
