In Belgium, Jos Verstappen, the father of Formula One driver Max Verstappen, was involved in a rally car accident but escaped unharmed. During the Loyers special stage of the Rallye de Wallonie on Sunday, the 54-year-old lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree, prompting his retirement from the event.
The incident was reported by the Rallye des Wallonie through its social media channels. As the reigning national rally champion, Verstappen had been in third place before the accident, which was described as a violent departure from the road. Fortunately, both Verstappen and his co-driver, Jasper Vermeulen, were uninjured in the crash, although the vehicle sustained significant damage. Notably, Verstappen's usual co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, was absent from this year's event due to an ankle surgery, and Vermeulen filled in instead.