F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Jos Verstappen questions Red Bull's ability to perform with Renault

Jos Verstappen says he and his son are starting to doubt Red Bull Racing's capability to deliver a winning car powered by Renault.

Max Verstappen suffered his sixth retirement of the season at the Belgian GP on Sunday, his fourth DNF caused by a mechanical failure.

While both father and son remain committed to the Milton Keynes-based outfit, frustrations and questions are inevitably mounting.

"Maybe this is the wrong moment to ask this question, but you do start to question everything," Jos Verstappen told Dutch TV channel  Ziggo Sport when asked if a future without Red Bull was now being considered.

"I notice about Max that he's very disappointed. It's tough to keep yourself motivated the whole time when things are going like this.

"I mean, he's doing very well in qualifying, he's half a second quicker than his team mate and he's just behind the Ferraris.

"And then, after seven or eight laps, he's standing at the side of the track again. This should not be able to happen, certainly not at a top team."

Verstappen also dispelled the notion that his son's reliability woes were in any way rooted in his driving style.

"Max isn't doing anything wrong," added Jos "People are asking that question again if Max is being too tough on his equipment. But that's complete nonsense.

"He can't overdrive, he can't break the material. We all know what it is: it's just the equipment that isn't good enough.

"I think we all need to calm down for a bit and then maybe we need to sit down with each other because this won't last if things keep going like this."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

 

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Perez reveals how he became Force India's unlikely saviour

Sergio Perez has revisited one of the most extraordinary off-track stories of his Formula 1…

13 hours ago

FIA expands straight-line mode at Spa – as Alonso sounds warning

Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend will introduce a striking new element to the…

14 hours ago

McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

McLaren will arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh opportunity to reset its…

16 hours ago

Michael bows to Mika on British GP podium

On this day in 2001 at the British GP at Silverstone, Formula 1 fans were…

17 hours ago

Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

The Silverstone pitlane has borne witness to countless moments of motorsport history, but recently, it…

18 hours ago

Steiner: Time for McLaren to ‘grow up’ and build its own engine

McLaren’s search for answers in Formula 1 has once again turned the spotlight onto its…

20 hours ago