Verstappen's Meltdown Averted: Jos Verstappen’s Silent Influence

Max Verstappen reveals how his father’s calm demeanor stopped him from unleashing his anger after a disappointing Brazilian qualifying.

Before delivering a masterclass to his rivals in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen faced a deeply disappointing qualifying session that morning, securing only 17th place. The Red Bull driver revealed he had planned to vent his frustration by trashing his locker room after being eliminated in Q1, but his father, Jos, prevented him without even lifting a finger.

“I was very upset about qualifying. I wanted to destroy my room, but when I walked in, my father was sitting there,” Verstappen shared on the Talking Bulls podcast. “He was calm, very calm. I was so angry, but seeing him so composed calmed me down.”

“When I think back to that day, there were a lot of sad faces because we were starting 17th, our main rival was on pole, and it could have meant a massive points swing we couldn’t afford at that stage of the championship.”

“Everyone was nervous, but then it rained. It was a wet day. I got in the car. I love driving in the wet, but you never know what will happen because you can get taken out or slide off the track yourself—it’s very tricky.”

“But as soon as the race started, it felt good, it was enjoyable. I felt at one with the car. Step by step, I worked my way to the front. I was relieved to make it to the podium. As soon as I won that race, I thought, ‘That’s it.’”

The Dutchman admits that day was the toughest of the season and the most emotionally draining since Abu Dhabi 2021: “I wouldn’t want to relive Brazil because it was so emotionally taxing, I couldn’t go through it again.”

“It’s the same as reliving my first title day in 2021. I think I’d die on that day. People who saw me then, especially my girlfriend Kelly [Piquet], would agree. She came into my room before the race, and normally I’m not that nervous.”

“You’re just well-prepared, and there might be a little tension because you want to perform well. But she told me my hands were ice-cold. Those are moments you don’t want to experience again. They’re incredible to watch but not to relive.”