Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen revealed ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix that he won’t be joining Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull’s Formula Nürburgring event in September, after being banned by advisor Dr Helmut Marko.
It was announced during the week that Vettel would be returning to a Formula 1 cockpit for Red Bull at the fan event, held at the legendary German circuit.
Vettel is set to drive his 2011 title winning RB7, otherwise known as ‘Kinky Kylie’.
Red Bull development driver Daniel Ricciardo is also going to be making an appearance in the 2012 RB8, unlike the Dutchman.
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Vettel drove the RB8 to his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship in 2012, following a title fight against Fernando Alonso.
Despite Verstappen having been keen to attend, Marko has banned the 25-year-old from driving at the event, due to knowing that the two-time World Champion would “go to the limits”.
“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,” Verstappen said ahead of the Canadian GP, as reported by Talksport.
“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!’”
Whilst disappointed at Marko’s decision, Verstappen does see why the 80-year-old has banned him from taking part, due to the circuit being “risky”.
The Red Bull driver also admitted that if he were to attend, he’d be tempted to try and break the outright lap record of the Nordschleife.
Despite not being allowed to participate this year, Verstappen is keen to experience the iconic venue, either in an F1 car or in GT3 machinery.
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“It’s also risky to drive here,” Verstappen admitted.
“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,” he continued.
“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.”