Column: Jos Verstappen - Criticism should be kept indoors
Published on 01 April 2016 by Mike Motilall
Jos Verstappen is still the Netherlands most successful Formula 1-driver. This season also, he shares his opinions regarding the sport via a column in the Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf. Below the latest edition.
“The Bahrain Grand Prix is just around the corner, but the aftermath of the first race of this season in Australia is still noticeable. It is obvious that both Max as his team, had higher expectations of the race in Melbourne.
Max was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism because of his falling out with his team on the radio during the race. His remarks were a result of his frustration and anger on how the race was progressing and decisions made by the team, but I am, in no way, condoning the way he reacted. It was the first time Max did something like that and I spoke extensively with him about it. He knows very well that something like that is not appropriate and not done. It is also not professional for a Formula 1-driver. Criticism, you keep to yourself and after the race, you talk about it. Indoors, with the team. And not through the media.
Still, I could somewhat relate to Max. I think I have never seen Max so angry during and after a race before, as in Melbourne. And that is pretty out of the norm for him. As a driver, you need to deal with the fact that things don’t always go the way you want them to. That’s why it is good this happened to him now. In the end, this is also still a kind of learning process. But believe me, this will not happen to him again. As a matter of fact, these kind of things only adds to him being a better, even more complete driver.
Formula 1 is not only about driving real fast and finishing as high as possible, but also about motivating people and shaping a team. Max has obviously heard this and that about the commotion his radio messages brought about, but he realizes that he was the one responsible, so he needs suffer the consequences and above all, learn from it. But not only Max, everyone involved. And I hope that that will happen.
Naturally, I have extensively discussed the Melbourne-race with Max. I would and could help him now, but that is not possible with me being his father. Max is the driver and he needs to resolve the issues with his team. It is, in any case, important that things like these do not take too long to be resolved. Fortunately, Max can easily leave disappointments behind him. Sunday is the next race and that is the best chance for him to get even and show what he is made of. That’s how he sees it himself.
Personally, I think that Bahrain, because of the lay-out of the track, will be more tricky to get a good result than two weeks ago in Melbourne. Last year, we had the worst qualifying session and race of the year here. Hopefully, the team can positively surprise us this time.”
Jos Verstappen
Source: Telesport/De Telegraaf
