Jos Verstappen Finds Peace as Max Rediscovers Joy in F1 Title Fight

Jos Verstappen, father of F1 star Max Verstappen, has expressed his relief and 'peace of mind' after seeing his son rediscover his enjoyment in racing, even as he mounts an unlikely challenge for a fifth F1 drivers' title. With four race weekends left, Max trails championship leader Lando Norris by 36 points, but a transformed atmosphere within Red Bull has rekindled confidence.

Why it matters:

• The elder Verstappen's comments highlight a dramatic shift in team morale since the summer break, when Max's title hopes seemed bleak. This renewed enjoyment and confidence could be a crucial factor in the intense final stretch of the championship.
• A positive team environment, coupled with Max's ability to extract maximum performance from the car, provides Red Bull with a psychological edge in a tight title race, potentially impacting their strategic decisions and overall performance.

The details:

• Atmosphere Shift: Jos Verstappen noted a "completely different atmosphere" within the Red Bull team, emphasizing his positive contact with Team Principal Laurent Mekies. This improved dynamic is directly linked to Max's renewed enjoyment.
• Car Performance: Verstappen Sr. praised Max for turning an "inferior car into a winning car," highlighting his son's unique ability to outperform the machinery, a skill demonstrated by the significant gap to other drivers.
• Unexpected Title Chance: The fact that Max even has a chance at the world title is considered a "huge bonus," especially given the team's struggles around the summer break. Max himself is reportedly "very open and relaxed" about the situation.
• Mexican GP Resilience: Max's performance in Mexico, where he secured third place despite car struggles, particularly impressed his father, demonstrating his fighting spirit and ability to maximize points even on difficult weekends.

Between the lines:

Jos Verstappen's observations suggest that the internal dynamics at Red Bull have significantly improved, potentially resolving underlying issues that might have contributed to their mid-season struggles. This newfound cohesion and Max's relaxed approach could be Red Bull's secret weapon against a strong McLaren challenge. The comments also subtly underscore Max's unique talent; his ability to consistently perform at an elite level, regardless of car parity, makes him a formidable contender even when not leading the championship.

What's next:

While optimism is high, the championship remains an uphill battle for Max, as the points difference means it's "certainly not in his own hands." Jos Verstappen will attend the São Paulo Grand Prix but may miss the final two races due to a prior rally commitment in Kenya. However, he stated he could fly to Abu Dhabi for the finale if Max remains in contention. The next few races will be critical in determining if Max can close the gap and secure an unlikely fifth title.