Jos on rallying: 'I have fun when I'm leading the field'

Published on 17 August 2024 by Misha van der Kroon

After his Formula 1 career and trips to Le Mans, Jos Verstappen has devoted himself fully to preparing his son Max for the pinnacle of motorsport. Through karting and Formula 3, he prepared Max for Formula 1, where the young Dutchman made his debut in 2015, and the rest is history.

With Max competing in Formula 1, Jos found more time in his schedule and felt the urge to get back behind the wheel himself. After a few tests in a rally car, the spark was reignited, and in February 2022, Jos competed in his first rally in the Belgian Rally Championship (BRC). Nowadays, he and his navigator Renaud Jamoul compete in the BRC and various other rallies. In these competitions they drive a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.   

Jos, you have made quite a bit of progress since your rally debut.
“A lot has happened since then, and I have gained a lot of experience,” Jos says. “It is more professional now, and the set-up of the car is a lot better now, too. We try to improve every time.”

You mentioned that listening to and processing the notes was the hardest part back then. How is that going now?
Jos: “That was the most challenging at the start, but nowadays it comes naturally. Renaud talks to me, but I don’t have to think about it anymore. So, I can focus more on driving and controlling the car.”

You also found driving in the dark difficult due to a lack of confidence. How is that now?
“That also ties into processing the notes. When you have confidence in them and know the course a bit better, it becomes easier to drive in the dark. Then, I no longer lack confidence.”

You said, especially in the beginning, that it was all about having fun. I assume that’s still the most important thing. But a Verstappen is always competitive. How important are the results?
“I am having fun when I am leading the field,” Jos replies with a smile. “Both fun and results are important. If you feel like you have done everything you could, and you are just not fast enough, then so be it. Life does not depend on it, let’s put it that way.”

Now a regular podium finisher in the BRC, where experienced drivers compete. Is there more to come, perhaps international ventures or even WRC?
“We are in it for the prizes, and that makes it fun. I am not just driving around aimlessly because that would take the enjoyment away. I have no ambitions to compete in WRC. Those are three-day rallies, and the preparation takes a lot of time. That is too time-consuming for me. We look at what rallies are interesting or educational, and I do enjoy the occasional trip abroad.”

The actual rally usually lasts one or two days. But there's a lot of preparation involved, both on-site and in the garage. Can you tell us more?
“A lot of time goes into preparation, indeed. Think of making notes and memorizing them, watching our own videos and those of competitors. Additionally, the car needs to be prepared, but that is manageable. The team knows what is needed, what requires maintenance, and what needs to be replaced in time. We have it all well organized. After a rally, they spend one or two days cleaning and getting everything in order.”

You need to be able to trust your co-driver blindly—almost literally. How is the collaboration with Renaud?
“It is important to have someone next to you who you enjoy being with and who is, of course, competent. Otherwise, I would not last long. You need to be professional and driven, and Renaud definitely has that. It has to be enjoyable for both sides. The pressure is not always on. Of course, we are serious and focussed when it is needed, and that works perfectly. Renaud has competed in the WRC (World Rally Championship) and is very professional. It is a great fit.”

In stages, you are not racing against each other but individually against the clock. Do you miss the direct competition on the track, with opponents, battles, and overtaking attempts?
“I always enjoyed the on-track battles. But in rallying, the stage itself is the challenge. On a circuit, the track is essentially always the same. That is not the case in rallying. When you run the same stage a second time, it could be covered in sand and be completely different.”

Do you have any ambitions to return to circuits, for example in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) or the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
“No, I enjoy rallying. Let the young guys race at Le Mans; I find rallying much more exciting.”