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Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, father of current F1 world champion Max Verstappen, was involved in a frightening incident during the Rally of Scandinavia but fortunately walked away without any injuries. The accident took place on Friday, May 30, during the eighth special stage of the event, which is part of the 2025 European Rally Championship (ERC) calendar.

Verstappen, who has transitioned from circuit racing to rallying in recent years, was behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 when the mishap occurred. While navigating the challenging terrain of Special Stage 8, the rear wheels of his rally car slipped into a patch of loose gravel. This caused a dramatic loss of control, resulting in the vehicle flipping over and rolling before coming to a halt. Despite the violent nature of the crash, both Jos and his co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, emerged from the overturned car without any physical harm.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported a heart-stopping moment as the car rolled, with many fearing for the well-being of the experienced Dutch driver and his Belgian co-driver. Safety crews responded immediately, and within moments, it was confirmed that both men were safe and unharmed. The car, however, sustained significant damage and was unable to continue in the rally.

The incident underscores the ever-present risks of rally driving, a motorsport discipline known for its unpredictable and treacherous conditions. Gravel stages, in particular, can be unforgiving, with small mistakes or changes in terrain often leading to serious consequences. Verstappen’s accident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong—even for seasoned professionals with decades of racing experience.

Jos Verstappen, now 52, has remained active in motorsports since retiring from Formula 1 in the early 2000s. In recent years, he has taken a keen interest in rally racing and has participated in numerous events across Europe. His performance in the Rally of Scandinavia had been strong up to the point of the crash, with competitive stage times placing him among the mid-pack contenders in a highly competitive ERC field.

His co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, is also a veteran in the rally world, known for his precise pace-note delivery and calm demeanor under pressure. The partnership between Verstappen and Jamoul has been steadily growing, with the duo participating in multiple events together and showing signs of strong teamwork.

Following the crash, both Verstappen and Jamoul were evaluated by medical personnel as per standard safety protocol. After being given the all-clear, Verstappen spoke briefly to the media, expressing relief that neither he nor Jamoul was injured. He acknowledged the dangers of the sport and thanked the event organizers and safety crews for their swift response.

“It was a scary moment, for sure,” Verstappen said. “The car just lost grip on the rear wheels, and before we knew it, we were rolling. Thankfully, the safety systems in the car did their job, and both Renaud and I are okay. Of course, I’m disappointed we couldn’t finish the rally, but safety always comes first.”

Fans of the Verstappen family, particularly those following Max Verstappen’s dominant run in Formula 1, were quick to express support and relief across social media platforms upon hearing the news that Jos was safe. The elder Verstappen remains a respected figure in motorsports circles and continues to attract attention whenever he competes.

While this accident marks a disappointing end to Jos Verstappen’s Rally of Scandinavia campaign, it also highlights the effectiveness of modern rally safety measures and the resilience of experienced drivers. Both he and Jamoul are expected to recover quickly and could return to competition later in the ERC season.