Racing

Jos Verstappen: Max’s win in Monaco was “not the best to watch” 

Posted on by Charlotte

Jos Verstappen

While his son Max was on his way to winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen admits he covered some mileage of his own due to anxiety.

Verstappen junior had never finished on the podium at Monte Carlo before, finishing second to Lewis Hamilton in 2019 only to be relegated to fourth due to a five-second penalty.

The Dutchman appeared to be in control throughout Sunday’s race, starting first after pole-sitter Charles Leclerc was forced to retire due to a broken driveshaft and crossing the line nearly nine seconds ahead of second-placed Carlos Sainz.

However, Verstappen’s father admits to being nervous throughout the 78 laps, knowing that the tight street track, which was surrounded by punishing barriers, meant that any mistake could be terminal to chances of success.

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“For a father, these are not the best races to watch,” Verstappen, who twice finished eighth in the Monaco Grand Prix, told De Telegraaf. “I covered a kilometre in excitement at home.

“In Monaco, they get so close to the crash barrier, sometimes it’s only a difference of a few centimetres.

“I didn’t like seeing those on-board images of Max. Then I go to the toilet anyway.”

But, as the old adage goes, all’s well that ends well, as Max’s victory, along with Hamilton’s seventh-place result, meant he took the Drivers’ World Championship lead for the first time.

“[That’s] very special, just like winning in Monaco,” said Verstappen snr, who raced in F1 between 1994 and 2003. “I notice it in the people around us, Monaco is a very special race.

“I had the same feeling as when Max won for the first time, in Barcelona. That was even more special, but when he wins in Monaco and you see him standing there [on the podium] it’s an emotional moment.”

Despite his son’s lead in the championship, the 49-year-old isn’t convinced that the momentum has shifted decisively away from Mercedes and towards Red Bull as a result of the Monaco race.

“Under normal circumstances, Mercedes still have the advantage,” added Verstappen. “Although they always say Red Bull are the favourites, they play that game all the time. We know better.

“It was a great weekend, but we have to keep working hard. It’s not like it’s done now. We must not relax.”

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Charlotte