Helmut Marko BANNED Max Verstappen from F1’s Most Dangerous Track

Max Verstappen is going to race in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring with Mercedes ahead of the Japanese GP weekend. The Dutchman has raced around the Green Hell many times and is used to the challenge now. However, his mentor, Helmut Marko, often disliked seeing Verstappen race around one of the deadliest tracks in motorsport history.

Now, Helmut Marko recalls the time when he denied Max Verstappen from participating in a race around the Nordschleife circuit. The Dutchman debuted in the GT3 series last year and achieved victory in his very first attempt. Now, Verstappen is looking forward to keeping up with the winning momentum at the ‘Green Hell,’ all while being safe while racing in the car.

Amid Max Verstappen’s upcoming 24 Hours of Nurburgring entry, Helmut Marko recalled the time when he brutally denied the former from racing at the circuit. Marko reflected that Verstappen wanted to do a demo run with a Red Bull challenger around the Nordschleife. However, the Austrian raised all the red flags much before the 28-year-old could ever do something like that.

Helmut Marko brutally declared that there was no question of participating in a demo run with the Red Bull car around the Green Hell. Marko funnily recalled that the four-time champion had seen Timo Bernand‘s record-breaking lap around the circuit. In typical Max Verstappen fashion, he wanted to break the record while running in a Red Bull challenger around the circuit. Ultimately, it was denied, and the 28-year-old couldn’t fulfill his wishes.

Years ago, Max told me enthusiastically about the Nordschleife. He wanted to do a demo run with a Red Bull Formula 1 car. But with me, all alarm bells went off at that time, There was no question of a demo run! Max had seen that insane video in which Timo Bernhard broke the lap record with a Le Mans Porsche. I think he wanted to beat that again with the Red Bull. That was too dangerous for me. That’s why I put a stop to it and banned it.

Helmut Marko told F1 Insider.

Helmut Marko reveals “fear” of Max Verstappen’s upcoming Nordschleife run

Max Verstappen was not going to let Helmut Marko get in the way of his ambitions of racing around the Green Hell. Thankfully, the Dutchman found a much safer and enjoyable outlet for racing at the Nordschleife. Helmut Marko, despite denying his entry back then, is now delighted that the 28-year-old will be able to race around the Nurburgring in the GT3 format.

Still, Helmut Marko’s fear resides deep inside his mind. Marko accepted that it was fortunate for Max Verstappen to race around the circuit with a Mercedes GT3. However, Marko still fears that Verstappen has Timo Bernand’s record lap in the back of his mind and would surely want to break it the first chance he gets. The Austrian labeled the four-time champion as an old-school driver.

Fortunately, he can now enjoy himself on the Nordschleife with the Mercedes GT3, However, I fear that he still has Timo Bernhard’s lap record in the back of his mind. After all, he is a driver of the old school.

Helmut Marko noted.

For Max Verstappen fans, this weekend will be a race weekend as well, as he pilots the Mercedes GT3 for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring test. The race schedule was tweaked so that Verstappen could participate in it. Hence, it will be interesting to witness one of the greatest drivers of Formula 1 pilot the GT3 challenger around the Green Hell and aim to break the record.

Read More: Max Verstappen Brutally Dismisses Red Bull Collapse Theory Amid Miserable 2026 Start

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