Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, has spoken out about British fans and media, who, according to the Dutchman, do not have a true picture of the four-time world champion’s personality. This is mainly due to the 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton.

In an interview with   De Telegraaf  , Jos Verstappen reflects on the historic 2021 title battle, which saw his son Max win his first F1 title. “A first title is already very special, of course, but everything around it made it even more special. I can still see the images of that last lap. It remains special. How Max planted his car next to Hamilton’s and overtook him. When we really had no chance before that final phase. Hamilton was just too fast at that point.”

Jos Verstappen doesn’t see his son Max changing

Jos Verstappen then saw his son become world champion in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and Max’s run of titles is likely to end this season. Perhaps what Jos is even more proud of than all those world titles is that Max Verstappen has remained the same, both behind the scenes and in front of the screen. “When I see Max or talk to him privately, he’s still the same as he was 10 or 15 years ago. I find that very important and wonderful. I’m proud of that.”

The British have a bad image of Max

The 2021 season hasn’t made English/British fans and media as fervent fans of Verstappen, although this trend has diminished considerably over the years. Jos Verstappen believes they don’t have a good image of Max Verstappen. “I think a lot of people, especially the English, have a bad image of him. He’s seen as a jerk. Maybe it’s also due to the current social media environment. I don’t identify with that at all.”