Max Verstappen responds to ‘absurd’ private jet talk

Stuart Hodge
Saturday 4 February 2023 11:32 - Updated: 17:38

Max Verstappen will do anything to get an edge in his bid to claim a third consecutive F1 drivers’ title. Well, just about anything.

The brilliant Dutchman will not - contrary to some recent reports - be kitting out his private jet with a race simulator.

Those stories featured on a number of websites following reported comments made by Helmut Marko to a German TV channel.

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Verstappen says Red Bull motorsport chief Marko may simply have confused a plane with a motorhome.

The 25-year-old double world champion, speaking at Red Bull’s 2023 car launch in New York, told reporters he is installing a sim in the new motorhome which will be his base during European race weekends this season.

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His comments, reported by Reuters, included confirmation that he will NOT be honing his on-track skills while in the air.

Verstappen revealed: “I said I will install one (a simulator rig) there because I just can keep on driving when I’m back in the evening because I like it. It’s my hobby in a way. It just keeps you sharp as well.

“I think he (Marko) misunderstood and he said plane. So no, I’m not installing one in my plane. I think that would be a bit absurd.”

Verstappen of course has a deep love of virtual racing and gaming - only recently he unleashed an epic rant after connection issues saw him lose the lead in the Le Mans 24-hour Esports race.

Max described the whole thing as a “clown show”, adding "You prepare for five months to try and win this championship, you're leading the championship, you're trying to win this race which you prepared for two months - and they handle it like this!”

Verstappen begins his quest for a third consecutive championship at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday March 5.

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