Max Verstappen, known for his incredible talent on the Formula 1 track, is now at the center of a new controversy. Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he had a heated exchange with his engineer and caused a collision with Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull Racing has decided to address his off-track activities. This decision comes after Verstappen’s late-night sim racing sessions raised concerns within the team.
Red Bull’s Decision
The Issue with Late-Night Sim Racing
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s sports advisor, revealed that Verstappen’s habit of participating in late-night sim racing sessions has become a point of contention. Marko mentioned that Verstappen stayed up until 3 a.m. before the Imola race and still managed to win, but the team believes this is not sustainable for long-term success.
New Rules for Verstappen
To prevent future issues, Red Bull has had a serious conversation with Verstappen. They agreed that he will no longer participate in sim racing events on weekends when a Formula 1 Grand Prix is scheduled. This decision aims to ensure that Verstappen is well-rested and fully focused on his primary commitment—winning F1 races.
Helmut Marko’s Comments
Concerns from the Team
Marko expressed the team’s concerns about Verstappen’s schedule. “Max Verstappen was quite sensitive this weekend, and criticisms quickly emerged. It’s not surprising, given that he spends half the night playing sim racing,” Marko said. “In Imola, he went to bed at three in the morning and won the race the next day. He has a different sleep schedule.”
Moving Forward
Marko also highlighted that Verstappen competed in sim racing during the Hungarian GP weekend because a teammate was unavailable. However, from now on, Verstappen will avoid such events before F1 races to maintain peak performance.
Upcoming F1 Race: Belgian Grand Prix
Schedule and Viewing Information
The Formula 1 action moves to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix. The schedule is as follows:
- Friday:
- First Practice: 8:30 AM (Argentinian time)
- Second Practice: 12:00 PM
- Saturday:
- Third Practice: 7:30 AM
- Qualifying: 11:00 AM
- Sunday:
- Main Race: 10:00 AM
Fans can watch all sessions live on Disney+ streaming platform.
Max Verstappen’s incredible talent is undeniable, but his recent activities off the track have raised concerns within Red Bull Racing. By setting new rules for his sim racing sessions, Red Bull aims to ensure Verstappen remains focused and well-prepared for his primary goal—winning races and championships in Formula 1. As the team heads to the Belgian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how Verstappen adapts to these new guidelines and continues to excel on the track.