Ralf Schumacher Slams Verstappen’s Risky Nordschleife Stunt as Haas Bans Drivers from S…..read more
Max Verstappen might have thrilled fans with his secret run at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, but not everyone in the Formula 1 paddock is impressed. Former F1 driver and Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher has strongly criticized Verstappen’s recent unofficial hot lap at the infamous circuit, branding it as “not very smart.” Schumacher said that had he been in charge at Red Bull, he would’ve shut the whole thing down to avoid unnecessary risks.
The reigning World Champion drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 on the 20.8 km “Green Hell” shortly after the Miami Grand Prix, clocking an unofficial lap time under the record pace of 7 minutes and 49.5 seconds. In a bid to keep the outing under wraps, Verstappen raced under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann.” However, it didn’t take long for the news to leak. Once the cat was out of the bag, fans rushed to the circuit to catch a glimpse of the Dutch driver taming one of motorsport’s most dangerous tracks.
Ralf Schumacher didn’t mince words when addressing the stunt. He stressed that such high-risk activities should be avoided by elite-level drivers, especially mid-season. “If I were team principal, I would have forbidden it,” he stated emphatically. Schumacher’s concern revolves around the potential for injury or worse, which could jeopardize not only Verstappen’s title campaign but also Red Bull’s championship hopes.
Backing up that cautious sentiment, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed that he would have taken a similar stance. Komatsu said he wouldn’t allow either of his drivers—Esteban Ocon or rising star Oliver Bearman—to take part in such an event, especially during the F1 season. His reasoning, however, wasn’t just about safety; it was also about focus. “I would have said no,” Komatsu remarked, adding that he expects his drivers to remain fully committed to their responsibilities in Formula 1.
While Verstappen has previously expressed interest in endurance racing after his F1 career, his recent Nürburgring run raises questions about timing and risk management. With modern F1 contracts often placing strict limits on extracurricular motorsport activities, Verstappen’s bold move has sparked debate about how much freedom top-tier drivers should have.
Though fans were thrilled, insiders are left debating whether Verstappen’s secretive Nordschleife run was an act of passion or a dangerous indulgence.
