F1 stars banned from following in Max Verstappen's footsteps as boss lays down the law

team principal Ayao Komatsu has made it clear that neither nor will be allowed to race or take part in sessions outside of F1. This follows 's extra-curricular activities last weekend after the Dutchman completed a GT3 test at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

With F1's ever-lengthening schedule taking up 24 weekends per year, and overlapping with both the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the days of incumbent drivers competing in rival series are largely over. However, this didn't stop Verstappen from enjoying his week off ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the racetrack. He took part in a Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) test and set-up session, gathering data for Emil Frey Racing, and broke the track's GT3 lap record in the process.

This luxury will not be afforded to other drivers, though. "No, step by step," Komatsu told Motorsport.com in Imola. "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?

"I think they're pretty lucky that they're driving an F1 car for their job. That's lots of fun, I think. Honestly, it's busy enough, really. You know, in between these 24 races - it's not like we haven't got enough races, right?

"They need to look after their physical condition, mental condition. 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."

Komatsu's caution is understandable. While significant safety improvements have been made over the decades, the Nordschleife circuit is still considered one of the most challenging and dangerous on the European plate. It was the location of Niki Lauda's crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix, which left the F1 legend with life-changing injuries.

Verstappen's decision was even called out by former F1 driver turned pundit, Ralf Schumacher. "If I had been the team principal, I'd have asked Verstappen if he's still all there," he said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

"To do something like that on the Nordschleife of all places is not very smart. I know, for many, it's a viewpoint they don't want to hear, but I find the Nordschleife incredibly dangerous. That's just the way it is, especially at this level and at these speeds."