Jos Verstappen set to make rally debut this month

The father of 2021 Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, was to drive at the recent Dubai Autodrome 24 Hours race but pulled out. Last year he was also set to do the Belgian series a shot, but COVID-19 scuppered those plans.

Now the official Verstappen website reports that "Jos will finally drive on the Belgian roads with his Citroën C3 R5 (Rally2-car) prepared by DG Sport Competition, together with Kris Botson as experienced Belgian navigator by his side."

Verstappen senior said of the prospect: “I am really looking forward to it and I have noticed that I really like rallying. Especially because it’s very unpredictable. Of course, I am very driven by nature and I have the support of a top team, but I will have to find my own limits again, together with my navigator.

"I want to get it right, but the reason I am stepping into this rally adventure is that it brings me joy," added Jos a former F1 driver and Le Mans LMP2 winner, who sacrificed a promising racing career to b=nurture and develop his son Max into the winning driver he has become.

At the Rally of Haspengouw, 49-year-old Jos will be a rookie, competing in his first official rally event: "Rally driving is really done on experience. Gaining this experience will be the biggest challenge.

"This is not comparable to anything from my motorsport career, for me everything is new: from the car to the method of working, creating and using pace notes, listening to instructions whilst driving and getting to know all the stages.

"There is no or very little opportunity to explore the circuit, so you have to be up to speed right away, whilst on the other hand avoiding unnecessary risks.

"All in all it is a huge challenge and I don’t immediately expect to drive in the top just like that. Of course I will give it my all, but my goal is to gain experience and to learn as much as possible. I feel good behind the wheel of my Citroën and I have a lot of fun. That’s the most important for me," added Verstappen.

The website reports that the second round of the BRC, the South Belgian Rally, takes place on 19 March. After that it will be decided which rallies Jos will participate in during the rest of the season, the goal is to compete in a mix of events from the Belgian Rally Championship and the international World Rally Championship (WRC).