Max Verstappen’s father gave a clear answer to the question of whether his son can win a fifth consecutive Formula 1 championship, after two consecutive racing victories caused a lot of controversy in recent days.
In the fast world of Formula 1, where every bend and every pit stop can be a story in itself, Jos Verstappen, the father of four -time world champion Max Verstappen, has recently expressed a strikingly clear opinion about the opportunities of his son on a fifth consecutive title. The Dutch motorsport legend, who himself had a successful career in F1, responded to the wave of speculations that followed Max ‘back-to-back victories in the Grand Prix of Italy and Azerbaijan. These successes, which somewhat reduced the gap in the championship, have led to fierce discussions about fair play, team strategies and the reliability of competition. Jos’ words, pronounced in an exclusive interview with a leading motor sport medium, cut like a knife through the controversy: “Max can absolutely, but only if everything runs perfectly. Otherwise it is a lost business.”
The controversy burst loose after the race in Baku, where Max Verstappen drove a dominant performance from pole position to victory, with a lead of almost 15 seconds on his closest pursuit, Mercedes driver George Russell. It was his second consecutive victory, after a convincing triumph on Monza, where Red Bull finally seemed to be the parent again in a season that has been dominated by McLaren so far. The British racing stable, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the helm, had built up a comfortable lead until recently. Piastri leads the championship with 69 points ahead of Max, while Norris stands 44 points. But in Baku things went dramatically for McLaren: Piaastri crashed on the first round, and Norris finished disappointing in the seventh. This failure, combined with Red Bulls renewed sharpness thanks to a updated floor on the car, caused the speculations to flare up. Were these signs of a comeback, or just a temporary hitch with the competitor?
Jos Verstappen, who is known for his direct and unfiltered statements, was not carried away by optimism. “I said Max myself: enjoy these victories, but don’t dream of the title too loudly,” said Jos in the interview. He emphasized that, despite his unparalleled talent, his son depends on factors outside his control. “Red Bull has taken steps, that is clear. The car feels like a weapon again, but McLaren is still the benchmark. They have made mistakes in Baku – a crash and a bad strategy – but that does not happen every race. Max has to win, and the McLarens must continue to stumble. The chance of that? Small, very small.” This realistic note contrasts with the euphoria in the Dutch media, where headlines scream about a ‘title race with three men’. Jos, who pushes his son to the limit from an early age, sees the pitfalls: the pressure, the technical complexity of the current cars and the unpredictability of the season.
The controversy surrounding these victories goes deeper than pure sporting rivalry. Critics, including some former drivers and analysts, suggest that Red Bull’s recent upgrades-a new aerodynamic floor and improved brakes-disrupt the balance in the field. In Italy this led to rumors about ‘unfair benefits’, especially since McLaren complained about inconsistent FIA rules around soil effects. In Baku, the tension escalated when Piastri’s crash was attributed to a possible collision with a Red Bull component on the track, although research invented this. Social media exploded with memes and accusations, from ‘Red Bull Sabotage’ to ‘McLaren arrogance’. Jos waves this away as ‘smoking blinds’: “Controverse is part of F1. It keeps it exciting. But let’s be honest: Max wins because he is the best, not through conspiracy theories.” His words remind us of his own time in the Paddock, where he fought as a driver for teams such as Benetton and Tyrrell for each point.
Max himself stands in this storm, with his characteristic sobriety. After the victory in Baku, he said to Sky Sports: “I don’t think hope. I just race per race, score as many points as possible. After Abu Dhabi we see it.” This philosophy, which he shares throughout the season, reflects the upbringing by his father: focus on the process, not on the price. Yet Jos’ intervention has caused a wave of reactions. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella called Max a ‘real threat’ in a press conference, while Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko calculates that there are still 300 points to be earned in the last seven races, plus sprint points. “Nothing is impossible,” tweeted Marko, but Jos countert: “Marko is an optimist. I am a realist. Max has four titles in a row – that is already legendary. A fifth would be a miracle.”
This family dynamic adds a human layer to the F1 machine. Jos, who raised Max with karting sessions until well into the night, is not only father, but also coach and critic. His clear answer – “yes, it is possible, but don’t count on it” – dampens the hysteria and reminds everyone of reality: with seven races to go, including sprints in Austin, Brazil and Qatar, Max should not only excel, but also pray for breakdown for Piastri and Norris. The McLaren drivers, both young and hungry, will not just give way. Norris, who still triumphed in Silverstone, promised: “We learn from Baku. This was a wake-up call.”
While the caravan moves to Singapore, where the heat and the streets form a new test, Jos’ voice continues to resonate. His son, the Phenome who dominated the sport since his debut in 2015, is at a crossroads. The two recent victories have fueled the controversy, but Jos’ sober vision offers perspective. In a sport full of glamor and glamor, where millions of fans crave drama, the father reminds that true greatness is in consistency, not in dreams. Or Max takes that fifth title? Jos’ answer is clear: possible, but unlikely. And that, in the core of F1, is exactly what makes the game so addictive.
