Jos Verstappen escapes serious injury in rally crash
Jos Verstappen, the 54-year-old father of Formula One star Max Verstappen, emerged unscathed from a severe accident during the Rallye de Wallonie in Belgium, reports BritPanorama.
The defending Belgian rally champion’s Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 overturned and collided with a tree, forcing his retirement from the event. The vehicle sustained significant damage, resting on its roof with a wheel torn off and extensive bodywork damage.
Both Jos and his co-driver, Jasper Vermeulen, walked away without injuries from the alarming incident. Vermeulen had been substituted in as navigator due to the unavailability of Jos’s regular co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, who is recovering from a double ankle fracture.
Prior to the crash, Jos had been mounting a strong challenge for another title, climbing to third in the overall standings by the end of Saturday. However, he faced setbacks, including a 40-second time penalty for exceeding speed limits, which had seen him drop to 17th before the Loyers special stage.
The crash occurred one week before the Miami Grand Prix, coming after a break in the F1 schedule that included the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has voiced criticism regarding the 2026 regulation changes, likening Formula One to “Formula E on steroids.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport. With Jos’s experience and resilience, fans remain hopeful for his swift return to the rally scene.
