MAX VERSTAPPEN'S DAD JOS ON HORROR RALLY CRASH AS CAR SMASHES INTO TREE

Jos Verstappen, the father of F1 champion Max Verstappen, was involved in a horror rally crash as his car was left wrecked after smashing into a tree

Jos Verstappen was involved in a horror crash(Image: X)

Jos Verstappen miraculously escaped a terrifying car crash at the Rally of Wallonia on Sunday without injury, despite his vehicle being left a mangled wreck after smashing into a tree. Images from the scene show Verstappen's Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 turned upside down amongst the undergrowth, missing a wheel and severely damaged.

The father of four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen had entered the competition with co-driver Jesper Vermeulen. But disaster struck when their motor slid off the circuit before somersaulting into a tree nearby. Fortunately, no one sustained serious injuries in the accident, with Verstappen confirming to GPblog that he is "all good."

Reports suggest the vehicle was already carrying damage from an earlier incident during the fourth stage of the rally. Yet the Dutchman managed to stage a spirited fightback that propelled him to third place behind Adrian Fernemont and Maxime Potty by Saturday's conclusion.

Jos Verstappen was not injured in his crash(Image: Getty)

Nevertheless, he and Vermeulen were compelled to withdraw following Sunday's smash. A celebrated competition renowned for its skill requirements, the Rally of Wallonia takes place on tarmac surfaces.

The route is high-speed and exceptionally challenging due to tight, winding lanes, plus extremely rapid sections. Verstappen had also been missing his usual co-driver Renaud Jamoul for this year's edition, who was unavailable following ankle surgery.

This comes as Max's own future in F1 remains uncertain while racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Miami Grand Prix. The racing calendar has been suspended this month following the cancellation of events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to continuing Middle East tensions.

Jos Verstappen is the father of four-time F1 world champion Max(Image: Kym Illman, Getty Images)

That will have given Max ample opportunity to contemplate his prospects, having struggled to adapt to the FIA's fresh rules and regulations. The 28-year-old has been incredibly vocal about the new format, arguing that the excitement has been drained from racing.

Following a disappointing eighth-place result in Japan, he revealed to the BBC: "I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock. Privately I'm very happy.

"You also wait for 24 races. This time it's 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"

- Aaron Morris and Cameron Winstanley

FORMULA 1 FATHERS & SONS | WITH A GRAND PRIX PODIUM

 

31 YEARS AGO SINCE JOS VERSTAPPEN'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX AT HOCKENHEIM

31 years ago today, a terrifying moment for Jos Verstappen and his team during what was supposed to be a regulation pit stop at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. 

Fuel sprayed onto the Benetton driver and his car as the crew fumbled in attaching the refuelling rig. A split second later, the car was engulfed in flames but marshals acted quickly to extinguish the blaze. Verstappen and the pit crew only suffered minor burns.

- Autosport

RED BULL'S VERSTAPPEN: HORNER-JOS FEUD COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

Max Verstappen's dad Jos with Red Bull chief Christian Horner (Getty Images)

 SPIELBERG, Austria -- Max Verstappen believes the latest war of words between his father, Jos, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner could have been avoided, after he backed his father's version of events in a news conference on Saturday.

The dispute between the two, which has been rumbling on throughout the season, surfaced again at Red Bull's home race in Austria after Jos Verstappen claimed Horner blocked him from driving a 2012 Red Bull in the Legends' Parade at the circuit this weekend.

On Friday, Horner denied he had vetoed Jos Verstappen's appearance in the parade this weekend, but when Max Verstappen was asked about the dispute following Saturday's sprint race, he said the situation could have been avoided.

"Naturally of course it's not nice, I think not for myself, not for my dad, not for Christian, not for the team," Max Verstappen said. "Of course you don't want these things to happen.

"I think my dad has been quite clear about the reason behind it, and of course I can understand his opinion on that, because at the end of the day, he gets asked to drive the car, finds out that he's not wanted to drive the car, while my dad, he actually doesn't care about driving the car -- but he got asked and said please do it for the fans, Dutch fans, blah blah blah.

"Red Bull, we have a great relationship with, home track. So I understand. On the other hand, I'm here to focus on the performance side of things, so I want a good relationship with everyone.

"But of course this scenario could have been avoided, yep."

The relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen broke down earlier this year after the Red Bull team principal was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague -- accusations Horner denied.

An internal investigation by Red Bull saw Horner cleared of wrongdoing, but in the aftermath Jos Verstappen said Horner's presence at the team risked it being "torn apart."

On Thursday, Max Verstappen confirmed he would remain at Red Bull next year despite persistent rumours he could leave for Mercedes as a result of the unrest.

The three-time champion currently has a contract with the team that runs until the end of 2028.

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor