Red Bull Defends Max Verstappen's 'Fanatical' Nordschleife Outing Amidst F1 Season

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has publicly supported Max Verstappen's participation in other racing categories, following the F1 champion's victorious GT3 debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Despite a packed F1 schedule and some criticism regarding his commitments, Marko emphasized Verstappen's pure passion for racing, drawing parallels to his own era in motorsport where multi-category participation was common.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's dominance in Formula 1 has made his every move a subject of intense scrutiny. His recent foray into GT3 racing, and the strong defense from Red Bull management, highlights a broader discussion about driver freedom, passion for the sport beyond F1, and the potential impact on his primary championship ambitions. It also underscores a cultural shift from past eras where F1 drivers frequently competed in diverse disciplines.

The Details:

• GT3 Debut: Verstappen, a four-time F1 drivers' champion, secured his license for the Nürburgring Nordschleife between his victories at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. His competitive GT3 debut occurred between the Baku F1 round and the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
• Marko's Support: Helmut Marko, a veteran of motorsport, dismissed suggestions that Verstappen should exclusively focus on F1. He stated on the oe24 talk show: "Max is simply a fanatical racing driver and seizes every opportunity. That just suits him. In my day, I drove everything, too."
• Nordschleife Performance: At the circuit known as the 'Green Hell', Verstappen, starting third, converted his position into a comfortable outright victory with teammate Chris Lulham in a Ferrari 296 GT3. Marko lauded his performance, particularly his first-corner overtakes, calling it "Verstappen-like."
• Dominant Lead: Verstappen built a lead of over a minute during his stint in the four-hour race, a gap his teammate managed to maintain for a 24-second victory despite encountering slow zones.
• Future Ambitions: Verstappen aims to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, possibly as early as next year. He also expressed interest in teaming up with his father, Jos, for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future.

Looking Ahead:

Verstappen's passion for racing extends beyond F1, with aspirations for endurance classics like the Nürburgring 24 Hours and Le Mans. While these plans are currently secondary to his F1 commitments, Marko believes a Le Mans partnership with Jos could materialize after Verstappen's F1 career.

• Championship Context: Despite his extracurricular activities, Verstappen remains firmly in the F1 drivers' championship hunt. Following back-to-back F1 victories, he trails Oscar Piastri by 69 points with seven rounds remaining, heading into the Singapore Grand Prix, the only current F1 venue he has yet to win.
• Red Bull's Stance: Red Bull's clear support indicates they view these ventures as a benefit, allowing their star driver to indulge his passion and maintain peak racing sharpness, rather than a distraction.