Max and Jos Verstappen, Red Bull Racing F1

Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen

Wheatley backs the Verstappens: draws Schumacher comparison with Red Bull star

11:40, 06 Sep

bySamson Ero

Jonathan Wheatley has backed both Max and Jos Verstappen amid the wave of criticisms they are often greeted with. The former Red Bull Racing chief detailed how often the pair are misunderstood by the media.

Wheatley, who recently took over the reins as team principal at the Kick Sauber team, weighed in on the general perception the media often has regarding the Dutch driver and his father.

Speaking via De Telegraaf, the 58-year-old stressed how much of a great human Jos Verstappen is. Wheatley also recounted how the 53-year-old came to congratulate him on the podium finish for Nico Hülkenberg despite his son enduring a difficult outing at Silverstone.

“I've known Jos since 1993; we go way back. And we still have a good relationship, so we've been together for over thirty years. In July, at Silverstone, Jos came up to me in the pit lane especially to congratulate me on Nico Hülkenberg's third-place finish.”

“Even though his son had a difficult race, that's the epitome of camaraderie and shows the human side of this world and this sport.”

Shifting focus to Max, the Sauber chief also drew a subtle comparison with the treatment often meted out to Michael Schumacher during his active years in Formula 1.

“You know, things like that were said about Michael Schumacher too. To paint him as the villain. But Max and Jos are perhaps the most sincere and honest people you can meet.”

“They're incredibly passionate, and yes, Jos is emotionally invested in what Max does. But why would you think you can achieve anything if you don't do it with complete dedication?”

“ In the heat of the moment, something sometimes gets thrown out, but often only one side of the story is presented. I know them very differently.”

Max Verstappen and his father Jos Monaco Red Bull

Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen during the Monaco Grand Prix

Jonathan Wheatley speaks on working with Max Verstappen again

Jonathan Wheatley also touched on the possibility of reuniting with Max Verstappen. The Sauber team principal detailed how he would never turn down the opportunity to work with the best driver in F1 in his team.

"Do I dream of ever working with Max again? Well, if I were to say here as team principal that I didn't want the best driver in Formula 1 in my team, I wouldn't be the right person to be here.”