Jos Wins the Spa Rally: 'Extremely Happy'

Published on 01 December 2024 by Kees-Jan Koster

Jos Verstappen, alongside his co-driver Renaud Jamoul, has claimed victory in the Spa Rally. After a strong performance on Saturday, which saw the duo finish the day second in the standings, they took the lead on Sunday and never relinquished it. This marks the third win in the Belgian Rally Championship (BRC) for the 52-year-old driver in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 car. 

"I am extremely happy with this victory. We have a well-deserved champion this season," said Jos. The Spa Rally was the final round of the BRC, in which Cédric Cherain and his co-driver Damien Withers were crowned champions. 

"I am pleased that we have made steady progress throughout the year. We have had some bad luck in the championship: in Wallonia, we had two punctures, and during the Sezoens Rally, I made a mistake myself. But overall, I am very satisfied and will return to the BRC next year to try again. I want to thank Renaud, who is so professional, we have an excellent connection. We have got a great team, and that is crucial."

After the first eleven stages on Saturday, Verstappen was second, 7.2 seconds behind Cherain. Sunday featured another five stages through the Belgian Ardennes, starting with icy conditions following an overnight frost. 

On the first stage, Trois-Ponts, Cherain went straight on a corner while Jos set the fastest time, taking a 9.2-second lead in the standings. "We made the right tyre choice and were the only ones on medium wets," Jos explained. "It was treacherously slippery, with patches of ice in places. But the car felt really good." 

Jos also set the fastest time on Chevron, the second stage. On the third stage, Trois-Ponts again, he recorded the second-fastest time behind Maxime Potty. The same result followed on the fourth stage (Chevron). Cherain clearly focused on securing the championship rather than the stage win. "I understand that, and I would do the same," Jos remarked. "For me, it is all about winning this rally." 

On the fifth and final stage, the power stage at Trois-Ponts, Jos posted the fifth-fastest time, more than enough to seal victory in the Spa Rally with a margin of over 18 seconds after 16 stages. Cherain secured second place, clinching the championship title, while Potty finished third in this final round of the 2024 Belgian Rally Championship.