Jos Verstappen Escapes Serious Injury After ‘Huge Impact’ and Rollover at Rallye de Wallonie

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen escapes injury after his Skoda rolls over during a high-speed crash at the Rallye de Wallonie.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 8:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A High-Speed Error on the Loyers Stage

The reigning Belgian Rally Champion, Jos Verstappen, saw his run at the Rallye de Wallonie come to a violent end during the Loyers stage of the competition. While running in a competitive third place, Verstappen misjudged a high-speed right-hand bend. Speaking after the incident, the 54-year-old admitted that the dusty surface and gravel likely compromised his grip as he attempted to navigate the turn in fourth gear. The resulting "huge impact" saw his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 clip a tree with enough force to rip a wheel from the chassis, sending the car into a rollover.

Safety Measures Prevent Tragedy

The car eventually came to rest on its roof, leaving spectators and officials in a moment of localized tension. However, the robust safety cell of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 performed as designed. Both Verstappen and his temporary co-driver, Jasper Vermeulen—who was filling in for the recovering Renaud Jamoul—were able to climb out of the wreckage without assistance. "The most important thing is that Jasper and I came out of the car safely," Verstappen told the Belgian Rally Championship’s media channel. He noted that the incident served as a testament to the safety engineering in modern rally vehicles, expressing relief that they emerged unscathed from an impact he described as significant.

Impact on the Belgian Rally Championship Standings

The crash is a rare setback for Verstappen, who has found a successful second act in motorsport through rallying since retiring from Formula 1. Having claimed the Belgian Rally Championship title previously, he entered the weekend with high expectations. The DNF (Did Not Finish) at the Rallye de Wallonie will stall his momentum in the current standings, particularly as he was adapting to a new partnership in the cockpit due to Jamoul’s ankle surgery. Despite the wreck, Verstappen indicated that his passion for the sport remains undeterred, though the team now faces a substantial repair bill for the Skoda.