Jos Verstappen says Max Verstappen ‘has to’ try rallying amid F1 career uncertainty

Jos Verstappen responds to Max Verstappen’s concerns about rally racing with GT3 dig

Speaking in an interview with Formule 1 Magazine, Jos Verstappen was asked about Max Verstappen’s trepidation when it comes to rally racing.

He joked that Verstappen driving a GT3 car in Nurburgring is far less dangerous than a rally race, and that there is no reason for him to be concerned about the trees that he sees while driving.

“No, (compared to) driving a GT3 on the Nurburgring is, let’s say, it’s harmless. He just has to come and do it sometime. So here it is, Max, please. Then, he’ll talk about it differently.

“He always talks about the trees and so on, but at a certain point, you don’t see those trees anymore. You know they’re there. You take them into account. But you don’t focus on them. However, you know they’re there, and that’s important.”

Speaking in the past on Up To Speed, Verstappen explained why rally driving is a challenge he hasn’t embraced before.

“I just think about if I make a mistake and I hit a tree… The tree is not moving, and that for me is like my limit. Most of the time when you crash, there is a properly-designed barrier that should absorb the impact a bit more.”

Jos Verstappen’s latest comments suggest Max Verstappen is undecided over F1 future

Amid concerns about Max’s future in Formula 1, Jos Verstappen hinted that his son could end his career at the end of this season.

“Well, I said that as long as Max drives in Formula 1, I will keep rally driving. But that could be the end of the year.”

Verstappen has made his frustration over the new regulations no secret, with him publicly contemplating retirement after the Japanese Grand Prix.

The prospect of Max Verstappen, considered by many to be the greatest driver of his generation, leaving the sport in his prime will be a massive blow to Formula 1.

Hopefully, Stefano Domenicali and the rest of the FIA can make changes to the new regulations where possible to convince Verstappen to stay in the sport.