Question of Trust for Verstappen's management.

After loosing out on the Jordan drive when it was seemingly in the bag, Jos Verstappen backers Trust and the Jordan team have pointed the finger of blame at Verstappen's management.

First Jordan F1, and then Trust, the Dutch computer peripheral producer that backs the Dutchman, have issued communications levying the blame for Verstappen's lack of a race seat at the door of Jos' manager, former F1 driver Huub Rothengatter.

First Jordan issued the brief story on its website:

Jordan Grand Prix would like to put the record straight regarding the negotiations with Jos Verstappen.

The team had excellent negotiations with Michel Perridon of Trust and Harrie Muermans of the Muermans Group. However the hard work of these two loyal sponsors was undone by the intransigence of Huub Rothengatter, manager of Jos Verstappen, who at all time insisted on taking an exorbitant commission on sponsorship introduced to the team or an outrageous wage. At the same time all requests by the team for Verstappen to have a seat fitting and fitness assessment were rejected.

It is very sad that the commitment of both Trust and Muermans to providing the driver with an opportunity to stay in Formula 1 were disregarded by his agent.

Eddie Jordan said: 'It was a very sad conclusion. We had a good faith agreement with the sponsors who acted positively at all times and it is not good for the sport for such valuable people to be treated this way by an agent.'

Then Trust themselves issued the following press release on their website, under the headline "High demands lead to break between Trust and Jos Verstappen":

After elaborate and intensive negotiations between Trust, the Jos Verstappen management, Eddie Jordan and Ian Philips, the Commercial Director of Jordan, the high demands set in the drivers contract resulted in a discontinuation in discussions. This ultimately led to the Jordan Grand Prix Team selecting the Italian driver Giorgio Pantano as their second driver.

Trust has confirmed they will continue supporting Jos as a driver. "We will continue doing that, but not with the present management. If any possibilities occur to get hold of a chair during this season, Trust will utilize that chance for the full 100% and won't miss it because of the high demands of the management of Jos Verstappen.", said Mr Perridon, CEO of Trust.

Eddie Jordan confirmed: "It was a very sad conclusion. We had a good faith agreement with the sponsors who acted very positively at all times."

Trust, however, wants to be active as an autosport sponsor and is researching various possibilities at the moment. "There are sufficient talents within the Netherlands who can grow and drive in Formula 1 in a short period of time, if they have the right sponsors and management," advised Trust.

It's unusual for both parties to go to such lengths to explain why a driver was not signed for a drive, but perhaps reflects the strength of support that Verstappen has from his fans that both Jordan and Trust felt they had to explain why the Dutchman will not be racing this year.

As for the Huub of the problem, the former F1 driver told Verstappen's personal website: "I am absolutely gobsmacked by what I have read on Trust's statement and Jordan's website. I don't want to give any comments at this point."

It's not the first time that Verstappen has lost out on a seat that was seemingly his for the taking, the Dutchman having been dropped by Tom Walkinshaw's OrangeArrows operation in favour of Heinz-Harald Frentzen just before the start of the 2002 F1 season.

As for Jos himself, the Dutchman still sees opportunities ahead: "I am very disappointed, but I can see possibilities," he told his personal website. "I have to see if all drivers can make the grade. Each season we see changes within teams. I have to be ready: I am focused, physically fit, ready to get in a car and go fast. My sponsors are eager to return. We want the world of Formula 1 to know that we haven't said goodbye. There is a driver available with talent, experience and a financial attractive package. All team owners know that. The season hasn't started and definately hasn't finished yet!"