Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard stated that Max Verstappen‘s freedom to compete outside the category is something rare in motorsport. According to him, not all contracts allow this type of activity.
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In an interview with the podcast Up To Speed, Coulthard recalled that when he raced for Williams, he was forbidden from participating in activities considered risky. At McLaren, he had more freedom, but with a caveat: “If you can’t race, I won’t pay you,” he said, quoting the philosophy of the then-boss Ron Dennis. He also mentioned winter training with Mika Häkkinen, emphasizing that he always avoided risks and completed 15 seasons without missing races.
The account serves as a contrast to Verstappen’s situation. At 28 years old, the driver for Red Bull has been expanding his activities outside F1, with tests and participations in GT cars, especially on the Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
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In 2026, this presence intensified, with several sessions held before his debut in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May. Verstappen has been testing GT cars for years and also participates in activities with other vehicles at Red Bull events.
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