BREAKING:Here’s why Haas banned its F1 drivers from copying… read more
Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 world champion, recently drew widespread attention when he took part in a GT3 test at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – and not just in any car, but a Ferrari. The test, done under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann,” featured Verstappen piloting a Ferrari 296 GT3 prepared by Emil Frey Racing, a team that also supports his own GT World Challenge endeavors. Although the session was initially kept low-key, the car’s distinctive Verstappen livery quickly gave away his identity. Rumors even circulated that he may have broken the lap record during the run.
However, Verstappen’s off-track activities have not gone unnoticed by fellow F1 teams. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has since firmly stated that his own drivers – rookie Oliver Bearman and more experienced Esteban Ocon – will not be allowed to emulate Verstappen’s extracurricular pursuits. Speaking ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Komatsu stressed the importance of focus and discipline for his team’s drivers.
Komatsu drew a clear distinction between Verstappen, who has already cemented his legacy with multiple world titles, and drivers like Bearman and Ocon, who still have much to prove in Formula 1. He argued that additional racing activities, especially in such a demanding season with 24 scheduled races, offer limited benefits and potentially carry unnecessary risk. According to Komatsu, the drivers already have enough on their plates between race weekends, simulator sessions, physical training, and collaboration with engineers.
While Verstappen is believed to have specific allowances in his contract that enable him to participate in such tests, not all F1 drivers enjoy the same freedom. Komatsu emphasized that driving a Formula 1 car is already an immense privilege and challenge, and questioned the value of engaging in other series without substantial upside.
The danger factor also cannot be ignored. Verstappen himself acknowledged the inherent risks involved in driving GT3 cars on tracks like the Nordschleife, which include managing traffic from slower vehicles and unfamiliar conditions. His extensive sim racing experience gave him an advantage in that setting, a luxury not all drivers possess.
Historically, F1 drivers often raced in multiple categories, with legends like Jim Clark thriving in both Formula 1 and touring cars. But the sport has evolved. Today’s drivers operate in a far more structured and brand-sensitive environment, with tighter schedules and contractual obligations that often restrict outside appearances. The financial motivations that once drove drivers toward additional races have largely disappeared, replaced by sponsorship commitments and rigorous training regimens.
Notably, past cases illustrate the risks and complexities of extracurricular racing. Robert Kubica’s promising career was derailed by a serious rally accident in 2011, while Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 venture in 2017 and Nico Hulkenberg’s Le Mans win in 2015 both required special circumstances and came with political friction. These examples underline why teams like Haas remain cautious about allowing their drivers to venture beyond Formula 1, even as Verstappen continues to blaze his own path.
