ERC
Motivated Verstappen to build on points-scoring ERC debut
Jos Verstappen said his first taste of the FIA European Rally Championship “motivates me” to keep improving.
The ex-Formula One racer, whose son Max is a four-time Formula One world champion, only took up rallying in 2022 but finished an impressive 13th on the 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad last weekend, topping the all-new FIA Master ERC Championship ranking in the process.
And while he was able to savour that success at the finish in Córdoba yesterday evening, his focus is very much on improving behind the wheel alongside Belgian co-driver Renaud Jamoul.
“It’s fine to win the Masters but that’s not what we came for,” the 53-year-old Dutchman said. “We want to get closer to the top guys and that was the difficulty. But I must say some things I am pleased of but there are a lot of other things to improve a lot and to learn.
We’re not giving up, it only motivates me, and we will get there.
Verstappen was the top-finishing FIA Master ERC Championship driver
© ERC
“We need to do more of these kinds of rallies with a lot of notes, a lot of corners, that’s what we have to improve and that’s why we are here. We’re not giving up, it only motivates me, and we will get there.”
Asked whether it was a long list of things to improve, Pirelli-equipped Verstappen said: “It’s a medium list, it’s a little bit everywhere, it’s not only one thing but for sure there’s a lot in the notes. It’s me who can absorb all the information but it’s a question of doing it more and more on these kinds of rallies, that’s where we have to focus on.”
ERC Rally Sierra Morena 2025, Jos Verstappen
© ERC
ERC Rally Sierra Morena 2025, Jos Verstappen
© ERC
ERC Rally Sierra Morena 2025, Jos Verstappen / Renaud Jamoul
© ERC
ERC Rally Sierra Morena 2025, Jos Verstappen
© ERC
Verstappen continues his ERC adventure on VI Rally Hungary from 9 - 11 May, the first gravel event of the season.
“Gravel is another story, but we said the first year is all about learning, getting experience,” he said. “The second year, hopefully we will get a little bit better and we will see in the future if we get a little more competitive.”
Verstappen was informed of his son’s latest Formula One victory in yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix at the completion of Sunday’s second stage. “We were watching it just before the stage but I couldn’t watch the last 14 laps so it’s good [he’s won],” he said. “This [win] was good [for me] but Max’s win is more important.”
