Max Verstappen, the high-flying triple world champion of Formula 1, has candidly revealed the constraints he faces away from the racetrack, particularly regarding participation in “dangerous sports.” At the Honda Thanks Day event at Japan’s Motegi circuit, Verstappen not only showcased his Red Bull F1 prowess but also engaged in a karting duel. However, he disclosed to MotoGP legend Marc Marquez that a try on a racing bike is strictly off-limits.
The restrictions go beyond just motorcycle racing. With the ten-year anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident nearing, Verstappen, aged 26, shared that similar winter sports are also prohibited by his team, Red Bull. Reflecting on Schumacher’s tragic situation, Verstappen told the Dutch magazine Formule 1, “Yes, that’s sad of course.” He added, “On the other hand, you can also slip in the shower and break your neck. There is risk in anything.”
Verstappen then shared his personal experience, saying, “But to answer your question, I haven’t skied in five years because of the risk of breaking or twisting something with all of the consequences that come from that.” He understands the rationale behind these restrictions, acknowledging the importance of his career’s longevity. “Of course I understand that because there are still years to come in which I have a great chance of becoming champion again and winning races,” he explained. “If you think about that, you automatically take fewer risks.”
Confirming the contractual nature of these limitations, Verstappen revealed, “No dangerous sports,” when discussing similar clauses in top footballers’ contracts. On the subject of rallying, a sport his father is associated with, Verstappen humorously remarked, “You could say that” when asked if riding shotgun would be out of the question. He also shared his cautious approach to cycling, always wearing a helmet, but dismissed rallying at high speeds as an option for him. “Maybe in a remote place. But yes, I do deal very consciously with risk.”
