Jos Verstappen claims Belgian rally title on family’s super Saturday

The Verstappen name was in the lights twice over this weekend, as both father and son claimed headline-grabbing victories in different corners of the motorsport world.

While Max stormed to his first-ever GT3 win at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife on Saturday, Jos Verstappen capped his own roaring day by clinching the Belgian Rally Championship in the forests of East Belgium.

Driving a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 alongside trusted co-driver Renaud Jamoul, Jos secured third in class at the East Belgian Rally – enough to wrap up the championship with one round to spare.

For the former Formula 1 driver who took to the thrill of rallying just a few years ago, the moment was the fulfillment of a season-long ambition.

"We're definitely happy with it!" said Jos. "This wasn't the most interesting rally for us, because we made the safe tyre choices.

“At the end, we did have the right tyres on the car and things went a bit better, but we really took it easy on the last stage.

"We wanted to win the championship, because that was the most important thing today."

Building success off the stages

Verstappen credited preparation and teamwork as the keys to his progress in the demanding discipline, with Jamoul’s role proving invaluable.

"You always try to be as well-prepared as possible at the start with the right people on the team," he explained.

• Read also: Verstappen takes commanding Nordschleife win on GT3 debut

"My co-driver, Renaud, is obviously crucial in that process. We've got that all figured out. I love being at the front of the pack. The fun is important, and then the results come.

“We're so good now, that's also a pleasure, of course."

For the Verstappens, September 27th will be remembered as a landmark day: a father savoring a national rally crown, a son conquering the ‘Green Hell.’

Two generations, two victories, one unforgettable Saturday.

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