Verstappen: "Can't imagine racing in Zandvoort this year".

The Dutch Grand Prix that would be held this weekend doesn't seem to be rescheduled later this year. The management of Circuit Zandvoort has had no contact with FOM about this. Even a race without an audience would then no longer be possible. According to Jos Verstappen that was not an option at all.

"This was a race the whole Formula 1 world was looking forward to. It should have been one big party", says Jos Verstappen in conversation with De Telegraaf. "I can't imagine that there will still be racing in Zandvoort this year. It is either with an audience or not. But in the end this decision is up to the Formula 1 organisation and the circuit. Otherwise postponing it to next year is an option."

Father Jos, on the other hand, has doubts about that too. If no vaccine against COVID-19 is available within twelve months, the race will probably have to be held without an audience and the question is whether they are willing to do so. After all, "I can't imagine that we would otherwise [without a vaccine] soon be together again with 100,000 people", according to the Dutchman.

Max has become a man

In the meantime, his son Max is preparing unabatedly for a possible start of the current season in Austria. He sits at home on the simulator almost every day and does everything he can to stay as fit as possible. The Red Bull driver was always serious about his job, but his professionalism is now shining through, something his father also noticed.

"I love to see the change in Max. He really has become a man. And he has such a strong character. If Max says 'no', you're a very handsome guy if you can turn that into a 'yes'. I'm also glad he's still publicly expressing his opinion. He also gets that freedom from his team. If he has the right material, he's ready for the world title. But he's been for three or four years."