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red bull allows max verstappen to continue sim racing during f1 weekends

Verstappen to continue sim racing during GPs after Rosberg slammed him

22 July at 11:30
  • Corwin Kunst

Max Verstappen worked a double weekend in Hungary. Not only did he compete in the RB20 at the Hungaroring from Friday to Sunday, but the Dutchman also took part in the virtual 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Despite Nico Rosberg's comments calling Verstappen unprofessional, team advisor Marko continues to have no problems with it.

Verstappen was still active in the simulator during the night from Saturday to Sunday until 03:00. It brought him criticism from Nico Rosberg, among others. The 2016 world champion blamed the Red Bull driver for a lack of professionalism. Christian Horner responded to that again by saying he did not think it was all that much of an issue, and Helmut Marko concurred.

No ban for Verstappen

The 81-year-old Austrian has no plans to ban Verstappen from taking part in sim races during F1 weekends in future. "That is nonsense. He was up even longer in Imola and there he won the race. Max has a different rhythm to me or other people, and the time he goes to bed is nothing unusual for him."

Marko then laughed to Motorsport-Total.com: "He didn't even wake up at ten o'clock in Zandvoort when the helicopters flew over his motorhome. He has his sleep quota and he had it as usual."

Verstappen's team, thanks in part to Max's contributions, eventually clinched victory in the 24 Hours of Spa.