I am a passionate and knowledgeable Formula 1 fan who has watched the sport since age five, watching every single race. Having karted competitively throughout my teens, I understand what it takes to be a racing driver, and every aspect of motorsports fascinates me. I am now studying sports journalism at the University of Gloucestershire with the hopes of one day landing a dream role in motorsport. As well as English, I speak Spanish fluently after living there for some time when I was younger.
Jonathan Wheatley, former team manager at Red Bull Racing, has drawn a comparison between Jos and Max Verstappen. While he acknowledges clear differences between father and son, he also points out some striking similarities in their approach and mentality.
Jonathan Wheatley was one of the driving forces behind Max Verstappen's success at Red Bull for many years. What fewer people may know is that the British team manager worked at Benetton over three decades ago, during the time Jos Verstappen raced there in Formula 1.
Now, Wheatley works for Sauber as team principal. The well-spoken Brit is heading Sauber as they make their transition into Audi.
The parallels between Jos and Max Verstappen
Wheatley knows Jos and Max Verstappen better than most. Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the Brit noted clear parallels between father and son, particularly their ability to perform at an exceptionally high level once they're behind the wheel of a racing car.
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Max is much more successful in Formula 1 than Jos, although Wheatley thinks that the father of the four-time F1 world champion could've achieved more. "I always thought with Jos that there was a missed opportunity. He was incredibly talented and he still is," Wheatley stated.
Wheatley now heads the Sauber team as they make their Audi transition
Jos Verstappen is now spending his time rallying where he has achieved a good level of success. Wheatley notices the success that the 53-year-old is having."He's winning in rallying now. If Jos turns his mind to something and really, really concentrates, he's got an incredible ability and that natural ability obviously Max shares with him."
Still, there are differences between Jos and Max which Wheatley observed while working with the pair. "I think nearly everything else about how they operate, they're very, very different people. But I'm proud to call Jos a friend and I'm proud to call Max a friend," he concluded.
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This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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