Red Bull should ‘200%’ block Verstappen from future Nordschleife events

The Dutchman was once again in action at the iconic Green Hell last weekend, taking part in the Nürburgring Qualifiers ahead of the 24 Hours race in May. However, the weekend was overshadowed by tragedy, as Race 1 saw a horrific seven-car accident in which the Finnish driver lost his life at the age of 66.

Speaking on the MontoyAS podcast, the former Colombian driver made it clear he believes Verstappen should no longer take part in such events, strongly arguing that the risks involved are too high. He pointed out that a serious accident could result in injuries such as a broken arm or leg, and stressed that Red Bull’s investment in the Dutchman alone should be enough to justify stepping in and putting a stop to these appearances following the recent incident.

David Coulthard believes Verstappen’s time as a Red Bull driver in Formula 1 will not last forever, although he expects the bond between the two to endure regardless of what happens on track. Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, the former British driver pointed to the strong connection between Verstappen, his family and the Red Bull organisation, suggesting it is not something likely to be broken abruptly.

At the same time, he stressed that nothing lasts forever in Formula 1 and highlighted Verstappen’s fiercely competitive nature, indicating that if Red Bull were to struggle over a sustained period - even within the current season - to show signs of returning to winning ways, the Dutchman would inevitably begin to evaluate where his career would be best served moving forward.