Jos: 'my focus is on next season'

Published on 21 June 2002 by Verstappen Info Page

This Sunday the European Grand Prix is held at the Nurburgring. As usual we have had our bi-weekly chat with Jos Verstappen, who just returned from the hairdressers'.

Jos, new haircut? A ‘David Beckham look’?
"No please, keep it normal!"

What is your opinion on the Nurburgring? Is it very different from other circuits?
"No, not really. Some circuit like Monaco with the barriers and Canada which is very tough on the brakes are worth mentioning. The Nurburgring is nothing special for me. Other than a great number of Dutch people go there, that is quite fun. I should be driving though, then it is even more fun to me. If I have to say something: I know I always had problems with understeer on this circuit."

What do you thing of the changes they have made?
"Changes? I didn't know that, I can't comment on it."

Have you ever driven on the old Nurburgring, nicknamed 'the Green Hell'?
"Yeah, fantastic! It is something that everyone should do, it is great! I haven't done that in a race car but only in a normal car. Nice experience though. The old circuit track is very long (22 km) and there are so many corners that at one point you don't even know what your position on the track is. The 'carroussel' is magnificent, some kind of extreme curved corner."

Talking about circuits, Le Mans, last weekend. Are you going to do that at some point?
"Yes, maybe when I'm fifty. But seriously, it seems quite an experience but at the moment I am only interested in Formula 1. I am not looking for a drive in any other class."

Do you exprect a surprising winner this Sunday?
"No, I don't think so, unfortunately. It will be coming from the Ferrari, BMW or McLaeren corner. Too predictable if you ask me."

France, Argentina, Italy and England are out of the World Cup. South Korea however is still in. The European Grand Prix will be won by a familiar name. Is football perhaps more interesting to watch?
"Whether or not it is more interesting has to be decided by each individual himself. At the moment it is very frustrating to see that the same teams win every time. No more surprises. The smaller teams are fighting a losing battle against top teams like Ferrari, BMW and McLaren. The differences in cars is too big. As far as I'm concerned it would be better to have everyone in a car that is more or less similar. Then you will have a fair battle between the drivers, which we don't have at the moment."

Silly season is in full swing. Names like Webber, Alonso and Sato are mentioned a lot. Alonso tested recently for Jaguar and Webber is going to do the same for that team. Aren't you getting worried? It looks like it is getting difficult this season.
I am not worried, we are very busy in the background. We are talking to teams and potential sponsors. My feeling is that I will have a seat next season, that hasn't changed. If there is a free seat this season that would be convenient, depending where that free seat is. I would prefer a drive with a good team with some future perspective for next season above as seat now with a team that drives at the back of the field. Concerning the names, that's okay. Nothing is for certain in Formula 1, even if you have a signed contract your future is not secure."