Jos Verstappen: I'm proud Max is the same Max of 10-15 years ago

From his sensational debut win in 2016 for Red Bull plus three Formula 1 World Championships thereafter, the Dutchman’s journey has been packed with defining moments, and no one has followed those more closely than his father, Jos Verstappen, who himself competed in 107 starts in Formula 1 before retiring from racing to focus on his son's karting career. The rest, as they say, is history.

Reflecting on the significance of the upcoming 200th race for Max, in an interview with De Telegraaf, Jos Verstappen singled out the most meaningful moments: “A first title is already very special, of course, but everything around it made it even more special [2021 title fight with Lewis Hamilton].

"Every now and then I see a video of that final lap. It's still special. How Max plants his car next to Hamilton's and passes him... While we actually had no chance until that final phase. Hamilton was simply too fast at that moment..." recalled Verstappen senior.

Jos also highlighted Max’s maiden win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, which made him the youngest winner in F1 history. That debut Red Bull victory was the first in a record-breaking partnership that now spans nearly a decade and includes 61 race wins and counting.

But beyond the trophies, Jos takes the most pride in the person Max has remained off the track. “When I see or speak to Max in private, he's really the same Max as he was ten or fifteen years ago. I find that very important and wonderful. I'm proud of that."

Jos also pushed back against criticism of his son’s public persona. “I think a lot of people, perhaps especially the English, have the wrong impression of him. Thinking that he's a jerk, or something. Maybe that's also due to the current social media era. But I don't recognise myself in that at all.”

As Max Verstappen prepares for his 200th race with Red Bull, he remains at the centre of the Formula 1 universe. He is as fast, focused, and unfiltered as ever. Jos deserves to be proud; his "life's project" is over-delivering!