Jos Verstappen admits he was nervous watching his son Max leading the Spanish Grand Prix in the closing stages.
18-year-old Verstappen became the youngest race winner in F1 history by winning Sunday's race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on his Red Bull debut. With his son having to hold off Kimi Raikkonen for more than 30 laps on one set of tyres, Jos Verstappen said he was worrying during the final stint.
“I was nervous," Verstappen said. "I was hoping that the tyres stayed alive and watching him very carefully, watching the car, if he had too much oversteer or not but he kept everything under control. Everybody was struggling.
"Raikkonen was struggling with his rear tyres, you could see that the last three laps were difficult for him but we all know Raikkonen as well, he can go for it on the last lap. But I think it was a fair race. Fantastic.”
And Verstappen praised Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko for having the faith to promote such a young driver so quickly.
“Life is a risk. I think we all knew the qualities of Max. I think Red Bull knows the qualities of Max, they analysed him really well. For me it was clear that we had to be here. I have to thank Helmut for this because he really made the decision to swap and I must say I have to give him all the credit to have this opportunity.”
Verstappen also said he would step back from the limelight and give less media interviews now his son is driving for a top team, but will continue to hold a management role.
“It’s true but this is a very special moment. The first win is always very special. But not only that, also the way he won the race, to stay cool, the way he was racing…
“Now [the job] just starts. The moment he arrived at this team, for him it starts. For me the job is done? No I don’t think so. I try to manage to be in the right direction and be with the right people at the right moment. I think we have done quite well so far.”
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