An open Jos talks about Max and Red Bull
Published on 18 August 2014 by Stefan Meens
Jos Verstappen is still the most successful Dutch Formula 1 driver. However, if there is one talented youngster that has the potential to snatch that record from Jos, it is his own son Max. After seeing his son being presented as the new Scuderia Toro Rosso driver for the 2015 F1 season, Verstappen senior sat down with the Verstappen Info Page for an open and honest chat.
“The last couple of weeks felt surreal. We were in the middle of the negotiations and so much stuff was coming our way. You’re constantly questioning yourself: Is this the right choice, is it too early?” Now that the decision has been made, Jos is able to answer these questions. “He’ll turn 17 next month and is on his way into Formula 1. He won’t have the experience but it’s been a well thought through decision and in the end I’m the one that knows Max best. People need to realize that Max is able to adapt and learn tremendously fast.”
Jos continues: “I mean, Max got into a Formula Renault 3.5 for the first time last week. He just got in and drove off with extraordinary pace. He is so in control that he’ll be able to understand and master driving an F1 car.”
Some critics will suggest a year or two in GP2 or FR 3.5 would ease Max into F1 as the lap times between GP2 and Formula 1 don’t differ that much. Jos disagrees. “Plenty of drivers didn’t make it through GP2 so after carefully deliberating with Max, Raymond and Red Bull, we came to the conclusion that F1 is the best option for Max.”
Several F1 teams tried to sign Max, yet Red Bull sealed the deal. “For me, the thing that gave Red Bull the edge was their determination and motivation to make Max part of Red Bull. They knew that Max is something special and they gave us the feeling they realised that. Furthermore, they are the benchmark when it comes to driver development. Especially within motorsport, they are a big player with fantastic facilities and trainers. Max will be prepared to the best of his abilities in order to extract the most out of his talent.”
Jos reiterates that the decision was not made overnight. “For about three weeks, I didn’t sleep very well. Especially during the Euro F3 weekend in Austria, when we talked to Dr. Helmut Marko. Every morning I was wide awake at 4.30am, whereas Max was sound asleep. I remember that Sunday morning, when we were phoning at six in the morning and Raymond and myself were ploughing through several documents whilst negotiating. It was all very intense, also because Red Bull were so driven and engaging.”
Apart from being his dad, Jos has become Max’ mentor and coach. “I sacrificed my own career for Max. I could’ve continued racing but this was a bigger and better challenge because I realised Max’ potential. In the end, it’s up to Max behind the wheel to deliver but I’ve always pushed him in the right direction, from when he was little, by being critical. He’s very mature for his age. Even though things weren’t always easy for him, he always felt and feels the necessity to strive for the best. I think my experience helped him with that tenacity.”
From now on, it is all about Max’ preparation ahead of the 2015 season. Jos explains the vital points junior needs to work on: “He has to put in plenty off miles in faster cars, he has to become physically stronger and practice in the simulator. At Toro Rosso, he has to become an integral part of the team and get the right feel for what’s going on. Instead of working with five people, he’ll have to get used to working with fifty”, explains Jos.
“Yes, it is a lot to learn for a young guy but it doesn’t matter if he is taught this at age seventeen or eighteen. As long as he has the will to do it and the right people around him, things will work out. I’ll definitely come along in the beginning but I won’t meddle with the car and the team, but I’ll keep an eye on the bigger picture.”
Looking ahead, Jos says: “The promotion into F1 is a fantastic challenge. On the one hand, we’ve already achieved our goal. On the other hand, we start from scratch with new goals. That’s the beauty of it and I’m confident things will turn out well for Max. The Toro Rosso boys are used to dealing with young guns and they are all looking forward to work with him.”
After years of supporting Max on and off the track, Jos, in a way, takes a step back. “I’ve done everything for him but now it feels like I need to let go of my son. However, with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, I feel he’s in the right hands. That’s important as from when he was seven, we’ve worked for nine years, 24/7 to achieve this goal. So I’m very, very proud of Max”, concludes a delighted Jos.
