Verstappen senior revs up: F1 star’s dad debuts at BRC in Wales
Formula 1 luminary Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, is set to ignite the British Rally Championship (BRC) scene as he gears up for his inaugural appearance in the Severn Valley Stages, commencing at Llandrindod Wells today, April 12.
Jos Verstappen, a seasoned former F1 driver who pivoted to rallying in 2022, is poised to tackle the challenging Welsh terrain, embarking on over 62 miles of gravel in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Expressing his anticipation, Verstappen remarked to the BRC website, “We are very happy to come to Wales and the British Rally Championship. Renaud [Jamoul, co-driver] has done Wales Rally GB several times but for me, these stages will be the first.”
Having honed his rallying skills predominantly on tarmac events since his initiation into the sport two years ago, Verstappen disclosed his transition to gravel following rigorous winter test sessions in the south of France. He shared, “After two test sessions in the wintertime in the south of France, we have decided to do our first proper gravel rally and as Renaud has some really good memories in Wales, this rally was looking like the best one to start with.”
Drawing insights from seasoned rally driver Tom Cave during their pre-event test in Sweet
Lamb, Verstappen expressed humility and ambition, stating, “We will get some good advice from Tom Cave during our PET [pre-event-test] in Sweet Lamb and we will try to do our best. There is no plan in terms of performance because it will be my first time on gravel but for sure the target is to improve and be as close as possible to the top guys.”
BRC manager Reece Tarren lauded Verstappen’s entry into the championship, enthusing, “What a name to add to the already remarkable BRC entry this season. We have British, European and World Rally champions on the books this year and now, we have an F1 driver to add to the list.”
The ceremonial start of the BRC event will grace Llandrindod Wells in mid-Wales, with the adrenaline-fuelled racing spectacle unfolding the subsequent day.
Noteworthy mention goes to Englishman Chris Ingram and his codriver Alex Kihurani, who clinched victory in the opening BR round at the North West Stages on Saturday, March 23.