Ex-F1 champion responds to Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen’s conflict of interest claim on FIA stewards

1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve lashed out at Max Verstappen's father Jos Verstappen for conspiring about the steward's actions.

Ex-F1 champion responds to Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen’s conflict of interest claim on FIA stewards

Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen; Jacques Villeneuve (inset) (via racingnews365, grandprixnews)

The controversy regarding British bias in the paddock has cooled down somewhat owing to the huge break till the next race in Las Vegas. However, Max Verstappen‘s father Jos Verstappen‘s statements were taken up by ex-F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve in a recent interview.

The Canadian criticized the senior Verstappen for conspiring about FIA stewards, as the latter had called out Johnny Herbert for his statements post-Mexican GP. At one point in the championship, Max Verstappen‘s lead was slowly diminishing.

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This led the reigning champion to resort to some interesting tactics and he started going all out in his battle for track position, especially with Lando Norris. This caught the eye of FIA steward Johnny Herbert, who lamented the Dutchman’s driving after the Mexican GP as Max had been noted for two major incidents during the race.

These comments did not go well with Jos, who is a former F1 driver himself. He doubled down on the FIA selection criteria as subpar as Herbert had been giving out statements against his son. However, Jacques Villeneuve views the issue with a different lens and is discontent with Jos Verstappen‘s claims.

I didn’t see anything bad from Herbert and as far as I can see the rules were followed in Mexico. They do the marshaling for free so [Jos Verstappen] cannot ask a pundit to give up his job to do something for nothing. You won’t have any marshals!

Jacques Villeneuve said (via Planet F1)

Regardless of his stance, the 52-year-old was expected to take the side of his son as the reigning Dutchman has been in a close championship fight. However, Villeneuve’s comments regarding his disagreement are not something out of the ordinary owing to his tainted reputation among the F1 fanbase.

Jacques Villeneuve lists out the core issue causing controversies in the paddock

While Jacques Villeneuve was critical of Jos Verstappen, he did not remain biased towards one factor only. The 53-year-old looked over an array of factors and suggested the root cause to be not related to either the selection criteria or the criticism of any individual, but the FIA rulebook.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (via Red Bull)

Villeneuve asserted how everything revolves around the questionable rules written in the FIA rulebook. Due to this, drivers and teams have had to suffer major repercussions, and a significant revision is required soon.

It’s not always easy to be fully neutral. It’s that simple. But the rules are badly written, that’s the first issue.

Jacques Villeneuve said (via Planet F1)

A meeting is scheduled between the drivers and the FIA regarding the necessary changes before the Qatar GP. Thus, a much-needed change in the rules is on the brink of being adopted.