Jos worries that his son Max might "lose motivation" with the new regulations.

      Jos Verstappen has expressed his concerns that his son Max might lose motivation in Formula 1 due to the current regulations. The Dutchman, in discussions with De Telegraaf and De Limburger, echoed his son's increasing frustration with the 2026 cars, cautioning that this could have long-term effects. "Driving these cars doesn’t challenge him," Jos stated. "Honestly, I'm worried that Max will become demotivated. Previously, racing in a Formula 1 car was his greatest joy. But right now, I feel rather pessimistic."

      He also mentioned that watching the races has become a challenge. "A couple of weeks ago, I woke up at night to catch the practice session in China, but after 15 minutes, I switched off the TV and went back to bed. I’ve never done that before with Formula 1. I think that speaks volumes."

      Jos emphasized that the focus on energy management is a significant problem, claiming it detracts from the true essence of racing. "As a driver, you should be rewarded for your bravery and skills. Nowadays, if you tackle a corner as quickly as possible, you might end up completing a lap slower. That diminishes the thrill of racing. They're merely managing the battery, which makes it harder for a driver like Max to stand out. That’s not what racing is about."

      He compared this to Verstappen's recent experiences in GT3 racing, where the Red Bull driver has seemed much more comfortable. "Max enjoyed it there. You can see and feel that in everything," he remarked regarding the Nordschleife events. "While racing in a GT3 car, he doesn't have to constantly think about recharging his battery and can rely much more on his instincts."

      Jos also responded to critics who have labeled Verstappen's frustrations as performance-related. "Max's feelings in the car have nothing to do with performance," he stated. "He simply provides an honest response to the questions he’s asked."

      These remarks come amid growing speculation about Verstappen's future, with former driver Juan Pablo Montoya suggesting that Red Bull may have difficulty retaining him long-term. "I believe the discussions (with Mercedes) have already begun," he mentioned to AS Colombia. "I think those talks never really ended last year. I wouldn’t be surprised. The likelihood that Max will still be with Red Bull next year is very low."