Jos Verstappen crashed during the Rally of Wallonia on Saturday, but he and his co-driver Jasper Vermeulen escaped without serious injuries, according to multiple reports. The incident forced the Dutch driver to retire from the Belgian Rally Championship event.
Verstappen detailed the crash in a social media post. He explained that it occurred on a right-hand corner taken in fourth gear. According to his account, the surface was dusty with gravel. "I think I went into the corner a bit too fast, and at the end of the corner, the car broke away," he stated. The car then hit a post, spun, and landed on its roof. The impact left the vehicle upside down with a wheel missing and serious damage, multiple reports confirmed. Verstappen said the car had already been damaged in an earlier incident on stage four. He said that both he and his co-driver were safe, praising the car's protective design. The car was left heavily damaged.
The Rally of Wallonia is an asphalt event featuring high-speed, technical roads, and it is part of the Belgian Rally Championship. The event series is known for its demanding road conditions. At the end of Saturday's competition, Verstappen was in third place, contending for a podium finish. He had been vying for a top position in the championship standings. The crash occurred on Saturday during the opening special stage. It forced him and co-driver Vermeulen to retire. The retirement was a blow to Verstappen's championship hopes. Vermeulen was standing in for regular co-driver Renaud Jamoul, who was sidelined due to ankle surgery.
Speaking to GPblog, Verstappen said he is 'all good.' On the Belgian Rally Championship Instagram, he said: "The most important thing is that Jasper and I came out of the car safely." He added: "It was a big impact." He continued: "But we sit in such safe cars, that shows again." He added: "I'm glad we came out of it well." No serious injuries were reported from the accident. The exact damage to the car and the details of the earlier incident on stage four remain unclear. Fans expressed relief on social media following the crash.