Verstappen rumors....

[Gerard]

This is from 'All about Arrows.'

Not long ago it was reported that Schumacher had invited the Verstappen family on a holiday in Austria - an invitation that Jos accepted.


Rumors of a move from Verstappen to Ferrari have been fueled by a number of separate news items. For instance, at the Arrows demo day at Zandvoort, when asked about future plans, Jos reportedly just smiled and went on to talk about other things.

Two weeks ago in an Italian newspaper it was reported that Schumacher was talking up Jos's talents, saying that he is one of the best drivers in the rain - and that story alone kick-started a Verstappen-Ferrari question.

The fact that the Schumacher and Verstappen families socialise is well known, as the two were team mates at Benetton in 1994 during Jos's first year in Formula 1. What adds weight to this particular story is additional speculation regarding the performance of Rubens Barrichello and his number 2 status within Ferrari.

Perhaps Ferrari are using the rumor mill to their advantage to put pressure on Barrichello to either quit or do better. Jos is on a two year contract with the Arrows F1 Team and it would cost Ferrari to pinch him. Also Tom Walkinshaw would not be keen on losing an experienced driver, and good team mate to Pedro de la Rosa.

[f1ciamp]

i think versappen is a real good driver and not only in the rain, but it is hard for me to believe that rubens will leave ferrari, 4 verstappen, and rubens is not bad a driver at all in fact he would have wone a gp if not team regulations this year.

[Sharky]

Well....it's no surprise. Schu has worked with Verstappen and maybe after seeing Irvine, Herbert and Barichello he think's that the best teammate is Jos. However I don't think that will happen....at least not next year.

[Valve Bounce]

Could their friendship be a result of a continueing interest in carting by both guys? I think Verstappen has a very big carting event that some of the F1 drivers take part in every year. Either that or my memory is poor.

[Minardi fan]

I don't think old Walky would release Jos early, but I can see him replacing Rubens in 2002. Jos is a better driver than Rubens in my opinion, although it would be a shame if he too received the usual Ferrari No. 2 treatment.

[MichaelC]

Well hopefully Mikey Cobbler will be gone by then anyway, to Renault, Team Ron or retirement, so perhaps Ferarri will revert to running a proper team then.

Who me, bitter?? What gives you that idea...

[MichaelC]

I can see a shake up at Ferarri, but where's Rubens going to go then? If Michael is going to be replaced by Ralf as you say MF, and Verstappen or Salo or someone replaces R(D)B, where's he going? ChampCars perhaps???

[Peter Mallett]

Unfortunately comparing his performance against his own predictions I would have to say NOBODY!!!!

[Neil C]

Wherever he may go, I have the feeling Rubinho will spend the rest of his career as a dependable, but unspectacular number two driver.

[Jos]

Why do you think Jos is such a great driver, he has never been really faster than his teammates, e.g. Salo, Schumey and now Pedro de la Rosa
(Qualifiing Sessions: Pedro vs. Jos=6-3)
Btw I'm a fan of Jos the Boss. I really hope he goes to Ferrari but I don't that is realistic.
Jos rulez!!!!!!!!!!

[Neil C]

Welcome Jos,

I'm not sure I would like to see Jos as number two at Ferrari (or McL for that matter). I'd like to see him at an up and coming team where he can show us how good he is. Of course he might not agree and jump at the chance to drive for Ferarri.

I like Jos not because he is the best driver, but he seems not to be a jerk or a prima-donna. There are too many of those already.

[steve nielsen]

Yess, it would be fantastic to see my No1. driver in my No1. car!!, Jos deserves a real chance !!, the first time he was Schummi's teammate he was to young, but now he's up for it, and btw, it think Tom Walkinshaw would'nt mind to trade Jos for Rubens and some extra cash(he's still a scot)

[Sharky]

Well. There were rumors last year that Rubens could be moving to CART. That of course didn't happen....but if he thought about it once there's no reason why he shouldn't think about it again.

[Liz]

Jos should not deliberately make himself the Second Car at Ferrari and spend the next year losing races he could win in another team.

Rubens should go to McLaren.

[bondibill]

Withe experience Jos had last year testing for Honda it has amazed me that BAR or Jordan have shown no interest in him...

[Diabando]

Amazes me, that everyone has assumed Jos will be the one moving around....give this subject a little more thought, and take 2001 out of the picture.

[Stonegold]

Hello formula1 freaks, first of all, let me introduce myself!!! My name is Stonegold and I am Dutch!!

My first reply on this forum is:

I'm a fan of Jos Verstappen, but I don't think that he's going to leave the Arrows team next season!! I know he and Michael Schumacher are friends, and I think that is the only reason why MS invited him to Austria!!! I think that it is good for Jos to be called the best rain driver in the circus by the best driver there is at this moment.

I hope that Jos Verstappen ends up with a top team like McLaren, Ferrari or Williams, but I can only dream of this!!

Excuse me for my Englisch, I'm trying to do my best!!!

See ya later!!!

And do you know why..........Because Stonegold said so!!

[SL]

Welome to 10/10's,

Your English is very good, probably better than mine.

Why should Jos(t) Notstoppen(!!) wish to change teams ? As they say things can only get better. All the good seats seem to be filled and so at least stay with what you know. Who knows what 2001 will bring

[Gerard]

Welcome to 10 Tenths, Stonegold.
I'm a Verstappen fan also and hey, I'm Dutch too.
You must ofcourse take the rumor for what it is, a rumor.
But I know Jos a little better than most of you and when asked about this rumor all he did was smile and change the subject.
All in all, we Verstappen fans must feel happy this year.
There were times his name wasn't even mentioned when the silly season began, now there are talks about Ferrari, BAR and Sauber.
But I do agree with you, he'll probably stay with Arrows.
Have fun around here!

[Stonegold]

Thank you guys for welcoming me on this forum!!!

And yes, we will see what will happen in the silly season. We can only hope the best for Jos and his fans around the world.

My favorits in formula1 are:\

Jos verstappen
Mark Gene (just because he is a nice quy)

[EERO]

Welcome Stonegold.

I'm sure your compatriot, Gerard, is right, (as he so often is) but the idea of Verstappen at Ferrari IS thrilling.

We'll see.

[Liz]

Jos would be mad to go to Ferrari now. But it wouldn't hurt to let people know that Ferrari asked him would it! And leave the door open for when that German guy has gone back to Switzerland to count his money and his football boots.

[Bononi]

I like the idea of Jos going to Ferrari. But the next thing to happen is losing their friendship... (Hey TGF has a friend !!!)
Let's forget Ferrari, and concentrate our thoughts in other teams improvements. The best for all of us is that Benetton and Williams back on the front again, an better than all, Jordan joining them. 5 teams fighting for the lead would be great to watch F1 !

[bondibill]

With the way the Arrows performed yesterday in Austria would Jos want to go anywhere else. Ok, so they were able to take advantage of the first lap problem, but what a fantastic performance from both drivers and that car!!

[Gerard]

Absolutely right, bondibill!
I know Jos is very happy at Arrows if only those damned gearboxes would last a little longer.
And I also know what Jos and Pedro are going to say to Tom Walkinshaw: 'Just give us a couple of decent gearboxes and we'll give you the points.'