Haas Team Boss Speaks on Driver’s Racing Outside F1

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen stirred a whirlwind of curiosity in the motorsport community last weekend, as he took the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. But Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has made it clear that his team’s drivers, Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, won’t be following in Verstappen’s tire tracks.

Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Test Creates Buzz

Verstappen, under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann,” tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Emil Frey Racing, a team that operates his own team in the GT World Challenge. The car was adorned with Verstappen’s livery, making it difficult to keep the test a secret for long. However, the clandestine nature of the initial entry and rumors of a lap record break fueled more than just a ripple of interest.

Although it is believed that Verstappen’s contract allows such hobbies, other drivers may not be so fortunate.

Komatsu on Driver’s Extracurricular Racing Activities

When asked if he would permit Oliver Bearman or Esteban Ocon to follow in Verstappen’s footsteps, Komatsu was firm: “No.” He explained, “Max is a multiple world champion, right? Oli is a rookie. Even Esteban, he’s got still lots to prove. He’s focused. What’s the benefit of them racing in another race?

Komatsu emphasized that F1 drivers have plenty on their plates already, with 24 races on the calendar and numerous other responsibilities between races. “They need to look after their physical condition, mental condition,” he said. “In between, they have to work with engineers, simulators. It’s not like they’re sitting at home thinking about what to do. So, I think they’ve got plenty on their hands.

Risks of Extracurricular Racing

Engaging in extracurricular racing does come with its risks, as Verstappen himself pointed out during his test. He highlighted the danger of being in a slower car and relying on faster cars for safety. “It’s definitely more dangerous for me to sit in a slower car and be dependent on the faster cars,” Verstappen said.

In the past, F1 drivers raced every weekend in a variety of categories, but the nature of motor racing has changed. The F1 calendar has expanded, drivers have become more professional, and they no longer need the money that, say, sportscar racing would bring. Contracts and branding concerns also make it difficult for drivers to race cars from different manufacturers.

The Fate of Robert Kubica and Fernando Alonso

Some drivers have been able to negotiate racing in other categories into their contracts, but the fate of Robert Kubica serves as a cautionary tale. Among the most promising drivers of his generation, Kubica was involved in a rally accident in 2011 that partially severed his right hand.

Fernando Alonso had enough contractual weight to be excused from the 2017 Monaco GP to compete in the Indy 500, but even that might not have been possible under Bernie Ecclestone’s reign. In 2015, Nico Hulkenberg took advantage of a clash-free schedule to race for Porsche in the Le Mans 24 Hours, but he faced backlash when he returned to the F1 paddock.