Will Max Verstappen travel to the races in a private jet in the 2023 Formula 1 season and practice in his own racing simulator on board? This news made the rounds ahead of Red Bull’s season opener in New York. But now the two-time world champion makes it clear: the news is not true at all!
The rumor had spread Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, who said in an interview with ‘Sport1’: “He even had his private plane converted so that he can drive a simulator in the air.”
“But that’s a good thing,” Marko continues, “because Max needs this distraction. In any case, it didn’t do him any harm with his two titles.”
According to Verstappen, the story was a “misunderstanding”, as he explains on Friday. He told Marko that he was building a new motorhome for the trips through Europe and had a simulator installed there “so that I could continue driving when I was back in the evening,” said Verstappen.
Because the Dutchman is known to be a big fan of virtual racing and regularly competes in online championships. “I like it, it’s my hobby and that keeps you on your toes,” says the Red Bull driver.
“And in the evenings, maybe even during a Formula 1 weekend, I could then sit in the simulator for two or three hours,” he says.
“I think that would be a little absurd”
Helmut Marko simply mixed it up and said airplane. “But I will not build a simulator in my plane,” laughs Verstappen. “I think that would be a little absurd.”
It would be pretty cool to have your own simulator on the private jet, “but I don’t think there would be much space left.”
The 25-year-old travels in a Dassault Falcon 900EX, which he acquired from British billionaire Richard Branson in late 2020. The aircraft is 15 years old and has been custom painted with Verstappen’s logo and design.