Jos Verstappen, father of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, secured the Belgian Rally championship by finishing third at the East Belgian Rally on September 27. The victory was celebrated by the Max Verstappen family rally, including his daughter Victoria and her two sons, who joined the event to support their grandfather.
The 53-year-old Jos Verstappen secured his first career rallying title driving a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 alongside Belgian co-driver Renaud Jamoul. This achievement came on the same day Max Verstappen achieved a win in his GT3 racing debut at the Nürburgring, marking a milestone moment for the Verstappen family.
Victoria Verstappen captured the joyous atmosphere after the rally, sharing photos of her children greeting their grandfather at the event. This dual success in motorsport underlined the family’s intense dedication to racing and highlighted a remarkable day for both father and son.
Jos Verstappen’s Response to Clinching the Belgian Rally Championship
After clinching the championship with one round still remaining in the season, Jos Verstappen expressed satisfaction but described the rally itself as “not the most interesting” from his perspective. Speaking to RacingNews365, he explained their strategic choices during the event.
“We’re definitely happy with it! This wasn’t the most interesting rally for us, because we made the safe tire choices. At the end, we did have the right tires on the car and things went a bit better, but we really took it easy on the last stage.”
“We wanted to win the championship, because that was the most important thing today,” he added.
Verstappen also credited his co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, for playing an important role in the success, emphasizing the teamwork required for such a title. Beyond competitiveness, Jos stated his aim is to enjoy his participation in the series while staying focused on performance.
A Historic Day for the Verstappen Family in Motorsport
Jos Verstappen’s triumph was complemented by Max Verstappen’s career milestone that same day. Max made an impressive GT3 debut victory at the Nürburgring alongside Chris Lulham, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3. This capped a week of strong performances, coming just days after Max’s dominant Formula 1 win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and following his Italian Grand Prix success earlier in the month.
Max Verstappen’s recent run of victories indicates his formidable form across multiple racing disciplines, with three wins in three recent races across different formats. Despite currently trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points in the 2024 F1 drivers’ standings, Max remains hopeful as the season approaches its final stages.
Looking Ahead: Max Verstappen’s Ambitions for the Season
With the Singapore Grand Prix upcoming, Max Verstappen continues to pursue his goal of remaining a title contender for the 2024 drivers’ championship. Although he faces a challenging points deficit with seven races left, the Dutch driver’s focus and determination reflect his ambition to stay in the fight until the end of the season.
The family’s recent successes reflect not only personal achievements but also the emotional and motivational power of shared passions across generations. Jos Verstappen’s rally victory and Max’s motorsport dominance underscore the depth of talent and commitment within the Verstappen family rally community.
