Jos Verstappen: 'Outside world' had a problem last year, not Max

Max Verstappen's difficult start to his season last year was a case of bad perception by the outside world rather than any real issues involving his son, says Jos Verstappen.

The early part of the Red Bull charger's 2018 campaign was marked by a string of sloppy that led many to question Verstappen's willingness to learn from his mistakes.

The young Dutchman eventually got his act together, but his father offered a very different view of the events that unfolded last year.

"I discuss everything with Max, including during his tough time," said the former Grand Prix driver speaking in his son's website.

"I don’t think there was anything wrong. It was really the outside world that made a problem out of things.

"Maybe the conversation after Monaco was hard but if you see how he picked it up from there and how he starts this year, it’s perfect."

• 'Mature' Verstappen now prepared to show patience - Marko

Indeed, a likely bout of introspection and a sure prep talk from Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko put the driver back on his rails for the second half of the season.

"He was indeed very strong, but he always had to take risks to get the result," added Jos.

"If you must take risks, anything can happen. That’s why it’s easier to start from the front row, so you don’t have to take risks.

"But he’s done really well. And when it comes to overtaking, Max is the best."

Jos Verstappen will once again be lurking in the wings this year and offering his unwavering support.

"It’ll be the same as before. I don’t have to be here all the time to tell him what to do; he knows that better than me," he said.

"But it’s the small things. I don’t tell him what to do, but I talk to him about what I see. That’s more than enough."

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