Verstappen Sr has been rallying for 3 years now, and his development is clear together with his flawless begin to 2025 domestically in Belgium. However the ERC was at all times going to be a sterner problem.
Nevertheless Jos was a creditable seventh in qualifying (incomes fanfare for a sure phrase his pacenotes used to explain unhealthy circumstances…) and initially ran contained in the top-10 as soon as the precise rally started.
Adapting to roads way more flowing in nature than the junction-ridden checks he’s used to, nailing the pacenotes and braking factors was a transparent studying curve for Verstappen who ended up thirteenth within the ERC, 5 minutes off the winner.
Profitable the new-for-2025 ERC Masters title is just not what is going to get Verstappen away from bed within the morning, however the 53-year-old did snare a cushty win in that class for his efforts in Córdoba.
“We don’t must neglect I’m over 50, however nonetheless my goal is greater,” he mentioned. “We are going to do so much to enhance, and we’ll hold going.”
Three title challengers begin badly
Fourth and fifth locations might not have been what Mabellini and Marczyk have been dreaming of in Spain, however in comparison with three of their anticipated 2025 title rivals, this was a robust begin.
Jon Armstrong seemed destined for one thing large after qualifying – the M-Sport driver second quickest and the one one to be in Gryazin’s league.
