Jos Verstappen admitted the performance of his son Max Verstappen during the Brazilian Grand Prix surprised even him after the Red Bull Racing driver drove from fifteenth to third in the closing third of the race.
With track conditions worsening, particularly in the final sector that was frequently a trouble for drivers during the race at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Verstappen was forced to switch back from the Intermediate to Full Wet Pirelli tyres, but fought back superbly to make pass after pass to clinch the podium finish.
Father Jos, who raced in Brazil seven times between 1994 and 2003 with a best finish of seventh back in 2000, was hugely proud of his son’s drive, and believed it showed the world just what the teenager is capable of and why Red Bull have invested in his future.
“I must say he surprised me today,” said the elder Verstappen to Sky Sports after the race. “I’ve seen many races he did, and today it was incredible.
“He did himself a big pleasure today. They didn’t have the right strategy, unlucky with weather probably, but afterwards it was worth having a bad stop! It’s good for Formula 1, everyone is enthusiastic. What more do you want?”
