Dedicated to Holland's greatest racing driver
Racing for Minardi
After sitting out season 2002, Jos Verstappen and his management worked hard to get him back in to the seat of an F1 race car. After much speculation, the highly contested remaining seat at Minardi was filled by Verstappen, helped by massive Dutch sponsorship. Joining rookie British team mate, Justin Wilson, Jos would race car number 19.
The Minardi team struggled on a tiny budget by F1 standards but amazingly managed to make cars were just about quick enough. Verstappen was fully aware and realistic about his situation - he and his team mate would spend much of the time filling the back of the grid and the bottom of the lap time charts.
However, the season brought some good moments for Verstappen and the Minardi team. Firstly came a slight chance of glory at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Jos was running seventh in the torential rain - one of the few remaining runners - only to spin off in the spray of an overtaking Kimi Raikkenen. IF Jos had not have spun off he could have finished at least 3rd or 4th going by the amount of later race retirements. Next came a good result at Monteal, Canada where Jos qualified a solid 15th and raced well to take 9th. The best moment for Jos and Minardi was the provisional qualifying session on the Friday for the French Grand Prix where Jos took provisional pole on a drying track. The Minardi team also held an event -'Thunder at the Rock'- at the Rockingham Speedway, England with its two-seater cars, with famous international drivers taking celebrities in the rear seat. Jos took the chequered flag - his only victory of the year!
All in all, this season proved to be a frustrating one for Jos and Minardi. Rumours in the press suggested Jos was disapointed with car. Minardi completed the 2003 without any points scored. The season ended with speculation that Jos was after the remaining seat with Jaguar or Jordan. He could have also remained with Minardi team for a second term but declined the opportunity.
During the season, team mate, Justin Wilson was proving to be quite a talent. Out of the first eleven races, he had out-qualified Jos four times - impressive considering his lack of experience. It wasn't long before Wilson was snatched by Jaguar and Minardi replaced him with Danish rookie, Nicolas Kiesa for the remainder of 2003.
Best qualifying position: 15th, Canadian Grand Prix
Best race finish: 9th, Canadian Grand Prix