Max and Jos Verstappen arrive at the Bahrain Grand Prix paddock. (Image: Getty)
has described the criticism of his father Jos this season as “nonsense” following a controversial year at . The Dutchman won his fourth straight world title in 2024, but had to endure the backdrop of an internal power struggle at his team between and .
after being accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee.
But Jos, 52, made his stance on the saga clear, and warning will be “torn apart” if they kept the Englishman in place.
It left Verstappen Jnr in an awkward position, but he admirably managed to stay out of the public feuding and insist his primary focus was on his performances at Grand Prix races. And now he’s hit back at claims that his dad weighing-in was a selfish move that didn’t have his son’s best interests in mind.
“That’s nonsense,” he told . “My father sees the bigger picture very quickly. And that certain things that happen affect the future of me and the team. Some people from outside may not see that.”
During the height of the controversy, there were question marks over whether Verstappen would see out his current contract, that runs until the end of 2028. But he insisted that despite the turmoil, he never had plans to try and negotiate an early exit.
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Christian Horner and Max Verstappen managed to maintain their relationship. (Image: Getty)
“Well, the feeling wasn’t quite 100 percent (about ),” he said. “There was a lot going on. But on the other hand, I don’t think that if something goes wrong, you can just say:’ I’m leaving’. That’s not how I am.”
Amid the trouble, exacerbated by the team, Verstappen finished the season 63 points clear of second placed .That was despite being superior in pace for much of the second half of the campaign, with the British team ultimately taking the constructors’ title.
And Verstappen insisted it was critical that were still on top when the internal strife broke out. “When things were very unsettled around the team, we still had the fastest car,” he added. “Fortunately – otherwise it would have been a lot more difficult for everyone.
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“Since the race in Miami, early May, there have only been very few races in which I have had the fastest car. And yet I have still managed to pull ahead since then. I am proud of how we as a team have dealt with the difficult races and often still got the most out of them.”
Jos, who also raced in F1 for the likes of Benetton, continues to be a major influence on his son’s career. He accompanies the world champion at all his Grand Prix races.