Max Verstappen has admitted he is banned from any “dangerous” activity thanks to a clause in his contract with Red Bull.
The Dutchman has the longest and the most lucrative deal of anyone on the grid. He is tied down with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season and is compensated with a reported £40m-per-year salary – and that’s before bonuses.
It has triggered many of those additional expenses over the past two years. The 2023 season has been his most productive to date as he ruled from start to finish, winning 19 of 22 races to claim the most compelling name Formula 1 has ever seen.
Given Verstappen’s price tag for them, Red Bull naturally needs to make sure he has compatibility to race at all times. Therefore, as is the case with many F1 drivers, you will have to abide by a written clause in the mega-financial contract that obligates you to avoid activities considered too dangerous to your health.
He proved it in an interview with Dutch magazine Formula 1. The three-time world champion said the clause did not mean “any detrimental sport” to him, such as skiing. He said, “I haven’t skied in five years because of the threat of breaking. “or twist anything with all the consequences that entails.
“And, of course, also in the knowledge that there are still years to come in which I have a great chance to become champion again and win races. When you think about that, you automatically do take a little less risk.”
Verstappen has already spoken publicly about one occasion upon which that clause was enforced. He had wanted to take part in a Red Bull event at the Nurburgring last September, which saw Sebastian Vettel take to the track in one of his old title-winning machines.
Watch all the Formula 1 action on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and more for each and every Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you might not miss a lap on Sky Sports.
However, Helmut Marko, a long-time advisor to Red Bull, prevented this from happening after Verstappen floated the idea. The Dutchman told reporters: “I wanted to do it, but Helmut wouldn’t let me. I knew I’d try to get through. ” I wish I had.
“I didn’t need to create unnecessary problems. I heard this was going to happen, and Helmut was sitting at the table when it happened and he said, ‘No, no, no, don’t do that!'”
Many other drivers have similar clauses in their contracts with groups eager to save one of their racing stars from serious, career-ending injuries. Lando Norris is one star who seems to be allowed to ski, as he recorded a video on his social media last week showing him on the slopes during his winter vacation.
Get email updates on the day’s highlights