Jos Verstappen has called on Red Bull Racing to intensify their efforts, even as his son Max Verstappen celebrates his fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship. The Red Bull driver secured his latest title with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking another milestone in his illustrious career.
However, Jos emphasized that Red Bull must improve their car development to maintain their competitive edge. Max has managed just one race win since the Spanish Grand Prix, with rivals McLaren and Ferrari significantly stepping up their performances. Red Bull’s RB20 has struggled to keep pace, particularly in the latter stages of the season, where its speed has often fallen short of its competitors.
Speaking to Verstappen.com, Jos reflected on the challenges the team faces: “Brazil was the real highlight for me. Watching Max drive from the back and consistently set the fastest laps in the final ten laps confirmed his championship credentials. But for next year, things must improve if Max is to win a fifth title.
“He’s not driving the fastest car out there; otherwise, he would have won every race. The team knows what needs to change, and now it’s up to them to make it happen,” Jos added.
The 52-year-old former driver admitted to feeling anxious ahead of the Las Vegas race, despite being absent from the Red Bull garage. “I was nervous—I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep,” he shared. “There’s always that tension, but Max pulled through. Maybe not in the way he would have liked, but the important thing is he did it.”
Jos also explained his decision to skip the Las Vegas race, citing health concerns. “I wasn’t feeling great; I had a mild flu. I didn’t want to risk passing it on to Max. The time difference also played a role—I needed to prepare myself for another race.”
Looking ahead, Jos remains cautiously optimistic, urging the team to focus on the car’s development. “We had the lead this season, but it all comes down to car evolution. I’m not always optimistic, but what Max achieved this year—especially in Brazil—was incredible. That performance played a key role in securing this title.”
As Red Bull and Max Verstappen celebrate another championship, the message from Jos is clear: continued success will require relentless innovation and commitment from the entire team.
