F1 News: Red Bull Blocks Max Verstappen From Fulfilling Racing Goal

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has stopped Max Verstappen from participating in an iconic event.

Two-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has revealed that he would have loved to have participated in the Red Bull Formula Nurburgring later this year, however, Helmut Marko would not allow it. 

It was confirmed earlier this week that four-time champion and recently retired Sebastian Vettel will be joining Daniel Ricciardo to race on the iconic track in September. 

Verstappen, who is currently leading the drivers' standings by 53 points, was asked if it would have been something he would have been interested in during the media day ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver explained that Marko had stopped him from participating as he knew he would have pushed to the limit. Verstappen explained:

"I wanted to do it, but I was not allowed by Helmut. He knew that I would try and go to the limits. I would have loved to do it.

“I didn’t want to start unnecessary issues. I heard this thing was coming up, and Helmut was sitting at the table when it came up, and he said: ‘No, no, no, you’re not doing that!'

When asked he would have gone for a lap record on the iconic circuit, Verstappen responded:

“I would have definitely given it a go.

“But you need not the demo tyres and some proper tyres, which is not allowed.

“It’s also risky to drive here, it just depends on how you hit a barrier. But that’s normally not the plan, of course. But hopefully one day I can do it.

“Ideally, that would have been amazing in an F1 car, but if it’s not allowed in an F1 car, then maybe one day in a GT3 car.”

Part of Marko's job is to make sure that the drivers don't do anything too risky and with Verstappen dominating the season, the possibility of him crashing at the Nurburgring was too much.