Jos Verstappen has identified Williams driver Alexander Albon as the greatest karting talent he has witnessed. The statement was revealed by former F1 driver David Coulthard during a recent podcast appearance.
Coulthard recounted a dinner conversation with a group that included Jos Verstappen, Mark Webber, and Martin Brundle. The discussion turned to the formative karting years of current Formula 1 drivers.
During the conversation, Verstappen offered a definitive and unexpected assessment of Albon’s abilities during his junior career.
‘Alex Albon was the GOAT in karting,’ Coulthard quoted Verstappen as saying, adding that Verstappen reiterated the point emphatically.
According to Coulthard, Verstappen described the British-Thai driver as ‘unbelievable’ in a kart. The compliment is particularly significant coming from Verstappen senior, who is known for his reserved and critical opinions.
Verstappen closely monitored the international karting scene for many years while guiding his son, Max Verstappen, through the junior categories. This gave him a firsthand view of a generation of top-level talents.
Coulthard noted that because Jos is typically reluctant to share strong opinions, except when it concerns his son, the high praise for Albon made a lasting impression on him.
The revelation comes as Albon and the Williams team are experiencing a difficult 2026 season, having scored only eleven points after the Hungarian Grand Prix. This is a considerable step back after the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship last year.
