Helmut Marko reveals extent of Max Verstappen’s late night sim racing ban to avoid getting ‘publicly attacked’

Max Verstappen was called out by commentators during the Hungarian GP weekend for his late night sim racing schedule.

Helmut Marko reveals extent of Max Verstappen’s late night sim racing ban to avoid getting ‘publicly attacked’

Helmut Marko with Max Verstappen (Image Via IMAGO)

Red Bull began the 2024 season with one of the most dominant drivers in its camp. Despite Max Verstappen’s mighty run, he has also been a sim racing driver for Redline Racing and was called out for his grumpy nature at the Hungarian GP weekend, after he attended a 24-hour sim race. This led him to be publicly attacked by fans and experts for his lifestyle choices which led to Helmut Marko suggesting him to stay away from sim races during race weekends.

Max Verstappen is one of the most dominant drivers in the history of F1. The Dutchman has multiple records accredited to his name, which were earlier thought to be unbeatable. However, amid the rise of Red Bull’s rivals, it led to the reigning champion being called out by commentators for his inconsistent sleeping schedule, despite earlier winning races when he had attended sim races.

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However, the public defamation was not entertained by Red Bull. They discarded any claims regarding Verstappen’s nature but suggesting him to stay away from racing past midnight.

We have agreed that in the future he will not drive well past 00:00[12 A.M.], even though he has a completely different rhythm of life. But still, you have to avoid things like this that are understandably attacked in public... It is a very strong recommendation.
Helmut Marko said in an interview with RacingNews365

Helmut Marko revealed that he and the Dutchman had come to an agreement. Verstappen agreed to not sim race past midnight during race weekends to not get called out, but the Austrian later claimed that it was just a strong recommendation and nothing more.

Max Verstappen admits the days of dominance are gone

While the triple champion has been the driver with most wins this season, his reign has seemingly come to an end after McLaren and Mercedes‘ revival. Moreover, the Austrian giant’s inability to win races recently has given Verstappen a reality check which he has admitted to.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The 26-year-old confessed that he did a good job in Belgium. However, he accepted the days of his dominance were behind him.

So, I think from P11 we did a good job. I think looking at the championship it was a positive day for me, of course you want more but yeah with our pace the last few races, it’s not realistic to think we can go P11 all the way to the front again. Those days are behind unfortunately. But we have plenty of things to analyse over the break and see if we can improve the car starting already in Zandvoort.
Max Verstappen said in the post-race interview at Belgium as quoted by F1

The Dutchman reckoned that it was a positive day for his championship bet as he gained points over his nearest rival. However, he reckoned that the RB20 is no longer the benchmark and cannot cut through the field like he used to.

Despite Verstappen admitting Red Bull’s slump in performance is hampering him, he currently has a 78-point lead over Lando Norris. Thus, heading into the summer break, the Dutchman can relax as he has a decent points cushion aiding him in the driver’s championship.

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