Before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen participated in a simulated racing event that took place during the night.
Helmut Marko has revealed Red Bull and Max Verstappen have agreed he will not drive sim racing events so late at night in future, after a stint before the Hungarian Grand Prix that took him past 3am the night before the race.
The senior advisor of Red Bull has clarified that Verstappen substituted for a driver who couldn’t participate in a 24 Hours of Spa event. However, they have now mutually agreed that he will not race during late hours before future races.
Max Verstappen to not race in late-night sim events in future after Hungary stint
Despite facing criticism for participating in the event and taking a night stint before the Hungarian Grand Prix the next day, Marko stood his ground and defended his driver.
The Red Bull advisor called it “rubbish” to suggest he had not had enough sleep before the race as required, but did admit the reigning World Champion was “rather thin-skinned” in his handling of the race on Sunday.
Marko mentioned the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix from earlier this season, where Verstappen participated in a late-night Nurburgring sim event and subsequently emerged victorious in the actual race the next day. However, Marko confirmed that he and the team have reached a mutual understanding that Verstappen will no longer engage in sim events during late hours preceding races in the future.
“Max Verstappen was rather thin-skinned this weekend, and of course it didn’t take long for criticism to arise – no wonder, given that he spends half the night playing sim racing,” Marko wrote in a post-Hungary column for Speedweek.
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I must mention that in Imola, he stayed up until three o’clock in the morning after a sim racing session, and remarkably, he went on to win the Grand Prix.
Max’s sleep rhythm is unique, but he did manage to get his full seven hours of sleep.
Due to a cancellation of a driver in his team, he found himself participating in a late-night sim race during the Hungarian weekend.
However, we have reached a consensus that he should refrain from driving sims at such late hours in the future.
Team principal Christian Horner expressed his confidence in Verstappen’s judgment for both himself and the team during a post-race discussion on Sunday. Horner acknowledged Verstappen’s longstanding passion for sim racing when questioned about his involvement in the virtual race.
Horner said, “In my opinion, individuals tend to draw conclusions. Max is well aware of the necessary requirements.”
“He possesses the knowledge required to maneuver Grand Prix cars, emerge victorious in races, and attain the status of a World Champion. Our teamwork is unwavering, and any discussions on enhancing our performance will strictly remain confidential, away from the public eye.”
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