On a weekend where his Formula 1 world champion son Max Verstappen stormed from ninth to first to win the Miami Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen was also victorious – winning his first ever event in a rally car.
Driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time in competition, Verstappen won the Monteberg Rally in Belgium – an event that utilizes classic Ypres Rally stages like Dikkebus.
It was an impressive feat considering it was also his first rally since December, as “migraine-like symptoms” forced him out of competition for a couple of months.
But Jos’s victory was less clear cut than son Max’s over Red Bull team-mate Sergio Pérez.
After the rally’s 11 stages, Verstappen actually tied for overall time with Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 pilot Davy Vanneste.
However, because Verstappen and Renaud Jamoul – formerly Adrien Fourmaux’s co-driver in the World Rally Championship – were fastest on the opening test, they were declared the overall victors.
“This does me tremendous good,” Verstappen said.
“It was a difficult period for me because I couldn’t drive for a few months. For me to come back this way, I’m super satisfied with that.
“When it started to rain during the day, it was treacherously slippery, but then I was able to take back time.
“I’m very happy with my first rally win.”
Verstappen’s next event will be the Sezoens Rally in the Belgian Rally Championship, which takes place next weekend (Saturday May 20).
