F1 News: Red Bull Advisor Defends Decision To Block Max Verstappen From Iconic Race

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has defended the decision to stop Max Verstappen from racing in the Red Bull Formula Nurburgring.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed why Max Verstappen was now allowed to take part in the Red Bull Formula Nurburgring event in September. 

It was recently announced that four-time F1 champion and recently retired Sebastian Vettel will be joining Daniel Ricciardo for the event at the iconic track in September. Verstappen was asked in an interview following the announcement if had wanted to be involved, which he confirmed he did but was stopped by Marko. 

He explained:

"I wanted to do it, but I was not allowed by Helmut. He knew that I would try and go to the limits. I would have loved to do it.

“I didn’t want to start unnecessary issues. I heard this thing was coming up, and Helmut was sitting at the table when it came up, and he said: ‘No, no, no, you’re not doing that!'

“I would have definitely given it a go. But you need not the demo tyres and some proper tyres, which is not allowed.

“It’s also risky to drive here, it just depends on how you hit a barrier. But that’s normally not the plan, of course. But hopefully one day I can do it.

“Ideally, that would have been amazing in an F1 car, but if it’s not allowed in an F1 car, then maybe one day in a GT3 car.”

Marko has now confirmed why they felt Verstappen could not take part in the event, explaining that the two-time champion would have wanted to break a record. He explained to the media during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend:

"We all know Max. First he would have checked what the record was. Of course he wouldn't want to beat that just by a second. Those cars aren't suited for chasing records. It's too dangerous."

Verstappen is having an incredible 2023 F1 season so far, winning six out of the eight races that have gone ahead.