Max Verstappen's father Jos Verstappen on penalty: He shouldn't have said anything

Max Verstappen

Jos Verstappen on Max's penalty: He shouldn't have said anything

Some advice from dad.

Martin Macdonald

Tuesday 29 October 2019 10:48

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Jos Verstappen believes son Max Verstappen should have kept quiet with regards to him not slowing down during the yellow flag safety period in qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix, instead of challenging the FIA to delete his lap.

Verstappen junior claimed provisional pole on Saturday after finishing with the fastest lap, but was subsequently demoted to fourth after he received a penalty for not slowing down after Valtteri Bottas crashed into the barriers.

The penalty came hours after qualifying, and in the press conference afterwards, before the decision was made, a defiant Verstappen urged the FIA to “delete my lap” if they felt he was in the wrong.

That’s exactly what they did, and it left the Dutchman in fourth.

Father Jos believes he’ll learn to just not say anything about similar situations in the future.

“We have discussed the press conference,” Jos told Ziggo Sport.

“I think he shouldn’t have said anything. Max also told me that he had not seen the yellow flags at all, which I understand, because normally you are informed by your team in such a moment.

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“He also saw that other people were not lifting the gas, so Max is disappointed that only he got the penalty.

“But I see it as another learning moment for Max. He just has to buy some time next time."

Verstappen is known to be one of the most straight-talking drivers on the grid, but Jos reckons this won’t always be welcomed in elite sports.

“Max’s heart is sometimes on his tongue, which is just the way he is, but apparently that is not always possible in a top sport. It’s nice that Max is always straightforward, but this time he shouldn’t have said anything,” he explained.