Max Verstappen and Red Bull enforce new rule after 3am sim-racing stunt in Hungary

Verstappen’s Late-Night Sim Racing Events to End

Helmut Marko has disclosed that Red Bull and Max Verstappen have agreed that the driver will no longer participate in late-night sim racing events, following an incident where Verstappen was up until past 3 a.m. the night before the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s Agreement with Verstappen

Marko explained that Verstappen had stepped in for an absent driver in a 24 Hours of Spa event, but both he and the team have now agreed that he will refrain from such late-night activities before race days in the future.

Late-Night Sim Racing Criticism

Despite criticism from some quarters regarding Verstappen’s participation in the event before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Marko defended his driver. He dismissed suggestions that Verstappen had not gotten enough sleep, but acknowledged that the reigning World Champion was “rather thin-skinned” during the race on Sunday.

Previous Late-Night Sim Racing Incident

Marko recalled the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix earlier this season, where Verstappen participated in a Nurburgring sim event late at night and still won the real-world race the next day. However, Marko confirmed that an agreement has been made for Verstappen to avoid late-night sim racing before future races.

Marko’s Comments on Verstappen’s Sleep Schedule

“Max Verstappen was rather thin-skinned this weekend, and of course it didn’t take long for criticism to arise – no wonder, given that he spends half the night playing sim racing,” Marko wrote in a post-Hungary column for Speedweek. He noted that Verstappen has a different sleep rhythm and managed to get his seven hours of sleep. “His late-night sim race on the Hungarian weekend only came about because a driver in his team was cancelled. Nevertheless, we have agreed that he will no longer drive sims so late in future.”

Christian Horner’s Perspective

After the race on Sunday, team principal Christian Horner expressed trust in Verstappen’s judgment regarding his sim racing activities. “I think people draw conclusions. Max knows what’s required,” Horner said. “He knows what it takes to drive Grand Prix cars, to win races, and be a World Champion. We always work as a team and whatever discussions of how to improve will always not take place in the media.”