Verstappen rules out rallying due to safety concerns, despite father's success

Max Verstappen has firmly closed the door on a future in rallying, citing the discipline's inherent dangers as a risk he is unwilling to take. The reigning F1 champion expressed immense admiration for his father Jos's late-career rally success but drew a clear line at competing himself due to the peril of hitting immovable objects like trees.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's stance highlights a calculated approach to risk from a driver known for his aggressive racing style in F1. It underscores a fundamental difference in perceived safety between the controlled environments of purpose-built circuits and the unpredictable nature of rally stages. His decision also provides insight into his post-F1 career considerations, suggesting a preference for series with higher safety infrastructures.

The details:

• Verstappen praised his 53-year-old father Jos, who competes in the European Rally Championship, for being "very hard to beat" and performing impressively against much younger competitors.
• He acknowledged that while pace notes are crucial, Jos has developed strong "muscle memory" from repeating events, contributing to his speed.
• The critical deterrent for Max is the unyielding nature of rally environments. He stated, "if I make a mistake and I hit that tree, I mean the tree is not moving. That, for me, is my limit."
• He directly contrasted this with Formula 1, where he feels safer due to "a properly designed barrier that should absorb the impact a bit more."
• Verstappen concluded that rallying represents "too high of a risk" and is a chance he is not willing to take, despite finding the sport "really cool."

What's next:

While rallying is off the table, Verstappen remains keen on exploring other racing series after his Formula 1 career concludes. This decision narrows the field for his future endeavors, pointing towards disciplines that align with his personal safety calculus, such as endurance racing or other circuit-based categories. His admiration for his father's passion, however, remains undimmed.