Max Verstappen's dad has first face-to-face encounter with Toto Wolff after brutal comment

Max Verstappen's dad had his first encounter with Toto Wolff since making brutal comments about the Mercedes chief last year. Jos Verstappen agreed that Wolff was a 'bad loser' after Max toppled Lewis Hamilton to win the 2021 Drivers' World Championship.

Verstappen Jnr and Hamilton shared a tense rivalry last year as they battled for the world championship. They crashed on the track on a couple of occasions and clashed in a war-of-words off it.

The Dutchman's father - who enjoyed a successful Formula One career of his own between 1994 and 2003 - has been a staunch supporter of his son. His relationship with Mercedes chiefs came to a head when Verstappen overcame Hamilton to win the world championship.

But Jos and Wolff have now shared a friendly encounter. The former was speaking to the media in the paddock at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. According to F1 Insider, Wolff then approached Jos and greeted the Dutchman with a handshake. Verstappen Snr, slightly shocked by the encounter, turned to the assembled media and said: "That was the first contact I've had with Toto since Silverstone 2021."

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Silverstone was a key milestone in the rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton. The pair collided and blamed each other for the incident. The Verstappen family found Hamilton and Mercedes celebrating their victory at Silverstone while the Red Bull star lay in hospital after their high-speed collision 'disrespectful' and was a turning point in the rivalry as things turned sour.

It was Verstappen who went on to win the world championship in the end, denying Hamilton a record eighth title. A contentious decision on the final lap of the final race allowed the