Jos Verstappen says son Max is "the best" after he clinched a second Formula 1 World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix. In bizzarre circumstances, Verstappen's expected title was only confirmed after Charles Leclerc was slapped with a five-second time penalty post-race which dropped him to third. Some confusion followed about whether full or staggered points would be awarded, but with full points, the amended results meant Verstappen was 113 clear of Sergio Perez with 112 on the table. Jos Verstappen - who was not in Japan - revealed he had already been in contact with the newest two-time champion in F1 history.
Verstappen on Verstappen
"I was in contact with Red Bull and [Max's] manager Raymond Vermeulen, but eventually the word came," Verstappen explained to Viaplay. "Last year there was an incredible emotion, but now we knew it was going to happen - just not when. "But he drove a very strong race, especially when you remember he pulled out 26 seconds in a race about 40 minutes long. "These kind of conditions are Max's speciality - from an early age he had something extra in the rain. "I spoke to him and he called him and I already sent him a text message. I told him he is the best. - but I say that almost every weekend." Verstappen Senior elected to skip Japan having been away from home for three weeks and wanted to spend time with family - he also added Japan is not the easiest country to gain entry. "Certainly in recent years and previous races, I always am there," he explained. "[But] I do not have to be there [to celebrate], I get just as much at home - although there was some disbelief as we didn't know exactly what was going on at the finish."
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