My heart literally stopped when I saw this footage.
Jos Verstappen – yeah, Max's dad – just had one of those "oh no, this is going on YouTube forever" moments during the Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden last Friday. The 53-year-old former F1 driver was tearing through stage nine when his Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 decided to audition for Cirque du Soleil. Spoiler alert: it didn't get teh part.
The Moment Everything Went Sideways (Literally)
Picture this: you're flying down a forest road at stupid speeds, your navigator Renaud Jamoul is calling out corners like an auctioneer on espresso, and then... whoops. Jos admits he came into that corner "too quickly" – which is rally driver speak for "I may have gotten a bit carried away."
The rear wheels kissed the gravel. Then they got intimate with it. Then the whole car said "screw gravity" and did a full 360-degree roll that would make a gymnast jealous.
The windscreen cracked like my faith in my driving abilities after watching this footage.
Sweden Rolls and Life Lessons
Jos, being the absolute legend he is, called it a "typical Sweden roll" afterward. Because apparently in Sweden, cars just... flip sometimes? (Note to self: maybe stick to IKEA when visiting Sweden.) He even said every crash should be a lesson, which is the most dad thing ever. I bet Max got a text later like "Son, this is why we practice."
The guy was sitting 18th overall and leading the Master classification before this happened. Talk about going from hero to "well, that's embarrassing" in about 3.2 seconds.
Meanwhile, Max Was Having His Own Problems
While Jos was getting acquainted with Swedish gravity, his son Max was dealing with his own drama at the Spanish Grand Prix. Poor kid (okay, he's 27 and worth millions, but still) got slapped with a 10-second penalty that dropped him from P5 to P10. Then he picked up three penalty points for what officials called "deliberately" bumping into George Russell.
Now Max is sitting at 11 penalty points – just one away from a race ban. That's like being one speeding ticket away from losing your license, except the whole world is watching adn your dad just posted a rally car flip on social media.
The Silver Lining in This Twisted Metal
Both Jos and Renaud walked away without a scratch, which is honestly miraculous when you see the footage. Modern safety equipment is just... wow. The roll cage did its job perfectly, even though the front end looked like it had an argument with a tree (and lost).
Jos seemed almost philosophical about the whole thing: "I must say I really enjoyed it, the way of driving." Only a former F1 driver would flip a car at high speed and still give it a positive Yelp review.
This was only his third time on gravel surfaces, too. Makes you wonder what he'll do when he gets comfortable with the terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the power units of Formula 1 cars
A Formula 1 power unit comprises a hybrid internal combustion engine (ICE) and an Energy Recovery System (ERS). The ICE engine is a turbocharged, V6 engine. While the ERS harnesses energy from braking and exhaust to give the car more power. This combination not only increases performance, but also efficiency. It contributes to the fascinating mix of speed and advanced technology in the sport.
What is the significance of the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1?
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events in motor racing, celebrated not only for its glamour but also for the immense challenge it presents to drivers. Monte Carlo has narrow, twisting streets that make it an extremely technical circuit. There is no room for mistake and its average speeds are lower than other tracks. Monaco's rich past and the tight corners with their barriers and obstacles make it one of the most legendary tracks in Formula 1.
What's the difference between slicks and wets tires in F1 racing?
Slick tires in Formula 1 are designed for dry conditions, and their smooth surface area provides maximum contact with the track, offering the highest levels of grip. Conversely, wet tires, which include intermediates and full wets, have tread patterns that disperse water on wet tracks, reducing the risk of aquaplaning, and offering traction in rainy conditions. The intermediates tire is used for light to moderate rainfall, and the full wet tire is suitable for heavy rainfall.
Statistics
- Lewis Hamilton has the most career wins of any driver in Formula 1, amassing over 100 victories.
- The Monaco Grand Prix is the shortest race on the Formula 1 calendar, with a total race distance of only 260.286 kilometers.
- The highest number of cars to start a Formula 1 race was 34 at the 1953 German Grand Prix.
- The fastest lap ever recorded in Formula 1 was set by Juan Pablo Montoya, reaching a top speed of 372.6 km/h (231.523 mph).
- Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most World Championships won by a single driver, with a total of seven titles.
- The largest winning margin in a Formula 1 race was recorded by Jim Clark in 1963 at the Belgian Grand Prix, with a lead of nearly 5 minutes over the second-place finisher.
- As of the end of the 2022 season, Formula 1 races have been held in 34 different countries around the world.
- The 2020 Formula 1 season comprised the shortest calendar in recent history with just 17 races, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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