Verstappen Sr. Questions FIA Steward Bias Against Max

Jos Verstappen raises concerns over FIA stewards, questioning potential bias influencing decisions on Max’s aggressive driving style.

Jos Verstappen, father of three-time world champion Max Verstappen, has voiced concerns about a potential bias among certain FIA stewards against his son, suggesting an unfavourable attitude that may influence their decisions.

The comments come amid ongoing controversy following the penalties imposed on Max during the Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen received two separate 10-second penalties and accrued two points on his super licence after fierce wheel-to-wheel battles with championship rival Lando Norris. The decisions have sparked debate over Max’s aggressive driving style, with former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher likening his approach to “street fighting.”

Acknowledging the intensity of his son’s second attempt at passing Norris, Jos Verstappen admitted it “may have been a bit too aggressive” but maintained that this approach is necessary. “Max will continue to drive the way he does. He has to push his limits because his car isn’t performing well enough to dominate the championship. He won’t change his driving style just because of the opinions of a few stewards,” he stated, implying a sense of unfair treatment towards his son.

In a more pointed critique, Jos singled out two stewards: Johnny Herbert, a regular on the FIA panel, and Tim Mayer, whose father Teddy Mayer was an influential figure in McLaren’s early days. Jos suggested the FIA should scrutinise its selection of stewards more closely to avoid potential conflicts of interest, particularly when former drivers may exhibit sympathies for certain competitors or teams.

Jos Verstappen also proposed a practical change to reduce in-race collisions: adding gravel traps in key areas of circuits. “There are vast run-off areas on many modern circuits, providing drivers with the space to push track limits. Adding gravel traps in these zones would significantly alter the risks and behaviours on track,” he recommended.

In closing, Verstappen senior underscored that the root issue is not the stewards themselves but rather the current performance of the Red Bull RB20, which has struggled to compete with the front-runners. “Even Haas was faster than Red Bull in this race,” he remarked, pointing to the significant challenges his son faces this season.