Jos Verstappen: end of March more clarity

Published on 09 March 2005 by Huub Rothengatter

The first F1 race of this season has finished. Unfortunately without Jos Verstappen and it doesn't look like he will return to the highest level in motorsport for the foreseeable future. A class which would like to be the highest in motorsport is Champ Car World Series, the US 'equivalent' of F1. According to insiders racing with the accent on 'battle', close racing; something that F1 is lacking for quite a while. Jos Verstappen watched the Australian GP from a comfortable chair at home.

Jos is forced to stay home. He is aiming, together with his management, to obtain a seat in the Champ Cars. Unfortunately he is not able to give any clarification about his future, to his annoyance and regret. Regret mainly because he realises that his fans want their hero to race again. Jos still is very popular: his website still have an daily average visitor number of 30.000. With one record day of more than 310.000! The Dutch fans will be delighted with the fact that Dutch channel RTL5 will be broadcasting the Champ Car World Series - all hoping that Jos will be joining. If this happens: high viewer ratings will be guaranteed. Besides regret there is annoyance, mainly because in Champ Cars seats are given not only to talented drivers.

Money still is the main business. Even in the Champs Cars, a motorsport series which is working hard to get a good world reputation. More popularity, more exposure for sponsors and investers. Jos Verstappen has realised that now: "Just like in F1 it all revolves around money. Some teams are asking even more than in F1." Fittipaldi Racing is one of the teams Jos and his management are talking to. They would like to see the whole financial package complete. "If my popularity would translate into sponsormoney my future would be certain, but it is not easy to gather money. It should be attractive for sponsors; Champ Cars is guarantee for sensation and excitement and if I would have a drive there AND it is broadcasted via RTL5 sponsors should get enough exposure to justify their investment. In the USA this sereis is far more popular than F1. In Asia this series will win over motorsport fans."

If Jos can get a drive with a team that can compete for top places, which is well possible with Jos' excellent driving skills, sponsors would be very eager to join up. They want to tie up to success, something that is somewhat easier in Champ Car than in F1, at least so it seems. Assuming Jos can only get a seat with an F1 team at the back of the grid. Why is there no certainty then? Jos:"I'm know sure, but talking is a lot easier with a big bag of money than a few smaller sponsors. A couple of weeks ago we thought we were close to a deal but we have wait for the time being."

Jos Verstappen has not turned his back on F1 though, better even he might even have another comeback. "You never know what happens, the season has only just started. I want to race in a high enough class and Champ Car series is a class where I would fit in, they race with the emphasis on the driver capabilities - well more than in F1. The cars are more equal and that will suit me. I hope that I will have more news at the end of March. The day that I am in a car racing can't be here soon enough for me.”

Thorsten Hendriks