Ex-F1 Driver Hits Back at Jos Verstappen over ‘Headless Chicken’ Claim on Max Verstappen Mercedes Rumors

Robert Doornbos has provided a stern response to Max Verstappen's father Jos Verstappen as he called the former a 'headless chicken'.

Ex-F1 Driver Hits Back at Jos Verstappen over ‘Headless Chicken’ Claim on Max Verstappen Mercedes Rumors

Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen (via IMAGO)

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Max Verstappen‘s Mercedes rumors have finally ended with the Dutchman declaring that he would continue racing for Red Bull for the foreseeable future. Still, there were incessant rumors that the 27-year-old was not only in advanced talks with Brackley, but his move was already a done deal. Amongst the many people talking about Verstappen’s switch in teams, ex-F1 driver Robert Doornbos commented on it as well. Subsequently, Doornbos received a mouthful from Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen.

Many notable analysts and insiders within the F1 community had talked about Max Verstappen‘s potential move to Mercedes, claiming that it almost took place. Robert Doornbos was adamant that Verstappen’s talks with the German carmaker had gone too deep, and that a move was imminent. However, Jos Verstappen berated Doornbos, noting that the latter talked like a ‘headless chicken’. This caused a lot of online hate against the ex-F1 driver as well.

However, Robert Doornbos has come to his own rescue and cleared his side of the story. Doornbos recalled that he had been an analyst in television sports for a while. He asserted that he had been in his role for over 12 years now, and revealed that he couldn’t just stir stories without having concrete evidence. The 43-year-old reiterated that he was firmly convinced about Max Verstappen and his move to Mercedes being imminent.

I have been an analyst in television sports for a while, I have been doing that for almost 12 years now, and as an analyst you can’t always throw six. I was indeed firmly convinced that this was going to happen.

Robert Doornbos told Motorsport.com

Mercedes is yet to finalize their driver lineup for the upcoming season, despite finding great stability in their current lineup with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. This delay in confirmation points to nothing but the team’s interest in acquiring Max Verstappen, which wouldn’t be successful now. Robert Doornbos pointed out this fact and insisted that the intensity of talks between Verstappen and Toto Wolff was very high, which ultimately caused the delay in Russell and Antonelli’s contract confirmation.

The intensity of those talks has indeed been quite high, because otherwise it would have been quite easy for Mercedes to announce both drivers.

Robert Doornbos added

Robert Doornbos insists Toto Wolff ‘did everything’ to poach Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen has been extremely loyal to Red Bull in the entire matter and hasn’t talked about a potential move to any of the teams; rather, he maintained silence as the rumors kept brewing. The Dutchman had already confirmed that not even $250 million would see him join Brackley. Verstappen also issued his long-term loyalty to the team, noting that he wished to retire with the same team.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Even though Max Verstappen was clearly not interested in joining Mercedes, Robert Doornbos still claimed that Toto Wolff did everything he possibly could to see the four-time champion switch teams. Still, despite Verstappen’s undying loyalty to Red Bull, his management explored all their options and finally decided to continue with the same team for the coming seasons.

Let me put it this way: Toto did everything he could to see if Max couldn’t change after all. Despite the fact that Max says ‘for me it was not a discussion, I will stay here forever’, the management has of course been working hard to see what the other options were.

Robert Doornbos added

Red Bull will need to work extremely hard on their form and improve their results as soon as possible. Despite Max Verstappen deciding to continue racing with Milton Keynes, his exit clauses can be activated if the performance falls drastically. Now, time will tell about how the coming seasons pan out for the reigning world champion as he hopes to recover from the slump and start winning races again.

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