Last Updated on April 27 2026, 11:03 am
Jos Verstappen escapes major crash in Belgian rally – The former Formula 1 driver and father of four time world champion Max Verstappen walked away unharmed from a dramatic crash during Sunday’s event in Belgium after losing control of his car and rolling into the bushes.
The former Formula 1 driver and father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen was involved in a high-speed accident that left his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 completely wrecked as reported by De Limburger. However, both he and his co-driver, Jasper Vermeulen, escaped safely.
The incident shocked motorsport fans due to the severity of the crash and the violent manner in which the car came to rest on its roof. Despite the damage, the outcome underlined the safety improvements in modern rally machinery.
How the accident unfolded
Verstappen lost control in a fast left-right section of the stage where he appeared to be carrying too much speed into the corner. The car spun on exit before slamming into a trackside post and rolling over.
“There was gravel, and I think I went into the corner a bit too fast.”
“The car spun at the exit of the corner. We crashed into a post, and the car then rotated around its own axis before landing on the roof,” Verstappen explained.
The force of the impact sent the car off the track and into nearby bushes, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a competitive run up to that point.
“I’m glad we escaped unharmed,” he added.
Despite the severity of the crash, both Verstappen and Vermeulen were able to exit the car uninjured, which the Dutchman highlighted immediately after the incident.
“It was a heavy crash, but it shows that we’re in safe cars. I’m glad we escaped unscathed,” he said.
The accident once again demonstrated the effectiveness of modern rally safety systems, including reinforced chassis structures and advanced cockpit protection, which significantly reduce the risk of serious injury in high-speed collisions.
Strong performance ends in frustration
The crash was particularly disappointing given Verstappen’s strong performance earlier in the rally. Despite carrying a time penalty, he had fought his way back into contention and was running in third place before the crash.
His co-driver for the event, Jasper Vermeulen, had only stepped in at short notice after regular partner Renaud Jamoul was forced to withdraw due to injury. This improvised pairing had nonetheless shown competitive pace, making the sudden retirement even more frustrating.
This result denied Verstappen the chance to build on his recent rally success on home soil.
Rally success after a Formula 1 career
Since retiring from Formula 1, Verstappen has established himself as a formidable presence in rallying, particularly in Belgium. Last year, he secured a major milestone by winning the national title, marking one of the biggest achievements of his post-F1 career.
During his time in Formula 1 between 1994 and 2003, he competed in 107 Grands Prix, achieving two podium finishes. Although he never reached the same heights as his son Max, he has remained deeply involved in motorsport, both as a competitor and in supporting his son’s career.
This latest crash is certainly a reminder of the risks involved in rallying, even for experienced drivers. However, the fact that both crew members walked away uninjured ultimately transforms what could have been a serious incident into a story of relief.
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A senior writer at TJ13, C.J. Alderson serves as Senior Editor and newsroom coordinator, with a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing. Alderson’s professional training in media studies and experience managing content teams ensures TJ13 maintains consistency of voice and credibility. During race weekends, Alderson acts as desk lead, directing contributors and smoothing breaking stories for publication.
