Jos Verstappen has recently voiced his dissatisfaction with the portrayal of his son, Max Verstappen, in the British media. He believes that many, particularly in the UK, hold a ‘wrong image’ of the four-time world champion, suggesting they perceive him negatively.
This sentiment follows a notable incident at the Japanese Grand Prix in March 2026, where Max Verstappen refused to begin a media session until British journalist Giles Richards of The Guardian left the room.
The confrontation stemmed from a question Richards posed at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The journalist had asked Verstappen if he regretted a collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, an incident that cost him valuable championship points.
Verstappen expressed his irritation at the time, stating, ‘You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona.’ He also described such comments from the British media as ‘very childish’ and press conferences as a ‘waste of time.’
Beyond media relations, Jos Verstappen has also been critical of the new Formula 1 regulations introduced for the 2026 season. He echoes Max’s long-standing concerns that the new cars are not enjoyable to drive.
Max Verstappen previously described the 2026 cars as ‘Formula E on steroids’ and ‘anti-racing’ during pre-season testing. His father supports this view, arguing that the emphasis on energy management diminishes the driver’s ability to make a difference.
Former team principal Franz Tost has also highlighted that the 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and battery disadvantages top drivers like Verstappen, who excel in late braking.
Jos Verstappen recently extended his criticism to Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle. On July 6, 2026, he publicly called Brundle an ‘idiot’ on social media.
This reaction followed Brundle’s comments on the Sky F1 Show, where he suggested ‘Team Verstappen’ had actively worked to ‘torpedo the management of Red Bull’ amidst a series of high-profile departures from the team.
The departures include figures such as Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko, Jonathan Wheatley, and reportedly Paul Monaghan. These changes have contributed to Red Bull’s current struggles with their new in-house power unit partnership with Ford.
Max Verstappen is currently ninth in the 2026 F1 world championship standings. He crashed out of the British Grand Prix earlier this month due to a reported ‘dangerous’ rear wing.
The ongoing debate surrounding the 2026 regulations and their impact on racing quality continues to be a significant topic within the paddock. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has acknowledged that Max Verstappen’s voice, as a multiple world champion, must be considered.
