Verstappen banned from late night sim racing

Helmut Marko has banned Max Verstappen from participating in late night time sim races over Grand Prix weekends.

James Hunt famously sported a badge on his total that declared, “Intercourse… breakfast of champions!” Versus entertaining numerous air hostesses, his 2024 contemporaries would moderately mattress down early with ebook and a smoothie.

Max Verstappen, alternatively likes to maintain his senses sharp by participating in sim races and final weekend was no exception with the Dutchman up till 3am on Sunday as he took half within the digital Spa 24 Hours with Staff Redline.

Whereas that is nothing uncommon for the Dutchman, his efficiency within the race, to not point out his outbursts at engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and subsequently the media, led to claims that maybe he had overdone it by getting so little sleep.

Christian Horner was fast to leap to his defence.

“He is aware of what it takes to drive a grand prix automotive and to win grands prix and be a world champion,” stated the Pink Bull boss. “As a group, we at all times work as a group, and no matter discussions of enhance will at all times not happen by way of media.”

Nevertheless, in his common column for Speedweek, Helmut Marko warns ‘no extra!’.

“Max Verstappen was moderately thin-skinned this weekend, and naturally it did not take lengthy for criticism to come up, no surprise, since he spends half the night time enjoying sim racing.

“I’ve to say that in Imola he did not go to mattress till three within the morning after a sim racing session after which gained the Grand Prix,” added. “Max has a special sleep sample, and he had his seven hours of sleep.

“His late-night sim look on the Hungary weekend solely took place as a result of a driver in his group had dropped out,” he revealed. “Nonetheless, we agreed that he would now not run simulations so late sooner or later.”

Whereas Marko in all probability feels that this implies Max might be tucked up by 22:00, little doubt the Dutchman will truly log-off at 02:59.

Marko additionally took the chance to defend his driver’s rash transfer on Lewis Hamilton through the race.

“I spoke to his about this,” he wrote. “In fact, the wheels of his automotive locked when braking, however he would have made it by way of the nook. So there was no query of him shedding management of his automotive. Max was forward, however Hamilton turned in, and everybody may see what occurred.”

Clearly, like Max, Helmut spends a sure period of time within the digital world.