Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has firmly dismissed the possibility of Max Verstappen competing in GT or endurance racing events despite the Dutch driver’s remarkable performance during a recent Nürburgring test. Verstappen, who reportedly set a new lap record at the event, sparked speculation about his future racing versatility and possible ventures beyond Formula 1.
The Nürburgring test was intended as a low-key fun outing for Verstappen, who took part under a pseudonym. However, his skillful driving and open expression of interest in other racing disciplines led to rumors about whether Verstappen might explore series outside of Formula 1. Previous drivers like Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg have taken breaks from their F1 careers to participate in prestigious races such as the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, respectively. Verstappen, already a four-time world champion and currently in pursuit of a fifth title, has hinted at his eagerness to experience other forms of motorsport.
Despite this, Horner has clarified that Verstappen will remain fully committed to his Formula 1 duties and will not miss any races to pursue alternative racing challenges. Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner stated,
“He’s not going to miss a race, that’s for sure. The focus has to be here on the day job. I think it’s great that he’s so versatile and I think, as Red Bull, we’ve always been slightly more relaxed than perhaps other teams in terms of the freedom that we’ve given our drivers.”
“But he’s finding that compromise, finding that balance; obviously, the priority is here. But it’s great that he’s embracing all forms of motorsport.”
Christian Horner Highlights Verstappen’s Multi-Disciplinary Racing Skills
Christian Horner has praised Max Verstappen’s broad racing abilities, referencing the Dutch driver’s recent accomplishments in GT3 cars and his overall passion for various motorsport categories. Horner emphasized how Verstappen approaches different types of racing with seriousness and enthusiasm. He said,
“He’s so versatile and he’s so passionate about all forms of racing: sim racing, GT racing – he has his own GT team, effectively. He was very keen to run at the Nurburgring. It’s something we’ve known about for quite some time. He went there and did an incredible job and really enjoyed himself. It’s what he loves doing and it would be very hard to take that away from him.”
Verstappen’s future with Red Bull remains steady and focused on Formula 1, but his willingness to embrace other motorsport disciplines shows his deep-seated passion for racing. While his primary commitment stays with F1, it is anticipated that Verstappen may continue to experiment with different racing formats either concurrently or at some point after his peak F1 career.
The conversation surrounding Verstappen’s versatility and future racing possibilities highlights his talents beyond the world championship battles. His performance at the Nürburgring reinforces that his skills extend well beyond the Formula 1 grid, positioning him as a rare all-rounder in motorsport. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s relaxed approach to driver freedom allows Verstappen to maintain a balance between his main responsibilities and his broader love of racing forms.
