Rosberg reacts to ‘entertaining’ Spa grid talk with Jos Verstappen

Sky F1 pundit Nico Rosberg revisited his now-infamous encounter with Jos Verstappen on the Belgian Grand Prix grid last Sunday, calling the exchange a piece of F1 “entertainment” and defending his decision to ask the question that made things awkward.

It was the kind of moment that makes F1 grid walks unmissable: awkward, uncomfortable, and instantly memorable.

Rosberg found himself in the spotlight after a brief but frosty few words with Max Verstappen’s father during the pre-race grid walk at Spa. With Martin Brundle at his side, the 2016 F1 world champion walked up to Jos and dove straight into the sport’s hottest topic: Christian Horner’s sudden departure from Red Bull.

“Now you are quiet?”

“What’s your feeling? Are you happy that Horner was sacked?” Rosberg asked, referencing past comments where Jos had suggested Horner should step down.

Jos replied carefully: “Well, they decided to change. I am fine with everything.”

Not letting up, Rosberg continued: “You were calling for it one-and-a-half years ago.”

Jos, not looking particularly amused, responded: “That was one-and-a-half years ago. It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine.”

Rosberg, grinning through the exchange, asked: “Now you are quiet?”

And with a classic Verstappen deadpan, Jos said: “I am always quiet.”

The moment instantly went viral and sparked fan chatter across social media. Speaking on the Sky F1 Podcast, Rosberg offered his own take on what had become one of Spa’s most unforgettable non-racing moments.

“I just ask the questions that are of interest”

“It’s nice to see that people appreciated our entertainment, which is what it’s all about, the whole sport,” Rosberg said. “Not that I do that on purpose. I just ask the questions that are of interest.”

Read also:

• Brundle: Horner's unilateral focus on Verstappen ‘hurt’ Red Bull

Despite widespread rumors that Verstappen’s inner circle may have played a role in Horner’s departure, Rosberg was quick to shut down that theory.

“I agree that it was not the Verstappen camp being involved in the Horner exit,” he said. “It feels to me that Red Bull came to the conclusion that, under Horner, too much talent was leaving the team, the key talents.

“There was a negative spiral at Red Bull for the past two years. The time has come for a new era, to reset and rebuild.”

Love him or wince at his sharp edge, Rosberg once again reminded fans that Formula 1 drama doesn’t just happen at 200mph. Sometimes, it starts with a grin and a mic – right on the grid.

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