Formula 1
Verstappen explains “absurd” F1 sim in private jet story
Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has laughed off Helmut Marko's suggestions that he is installing a racing simulator on his private jet, saying it was a misunderstanding.

Adam Cooper
Edited: Feb 5, 2023, 8:31 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber

Red Bull motor sport advisor Marko made the claim in a recent TV interview while discussing the Dutchman’s appearance in the Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours and his dedication to driving whenever he can.
The simulator in a plane story was subsequently widely reported, but Verstappen says what he actually told Marko last year was that he will have one installed in the new motorhome that he is taking to races in Europe this season.
“That was Helmut I think who said that, but I think he misunderstood, because I was talking to him last year,” said Verstappen.
“I'm building a new motorhome for travelling through Europe to the F1 races and I said I will install one there because I just can keep on driving when I'm back in the evening.
“Because I like it, it's my hobby in a way, and it just keeps you sharp as well. So I think he misunderstood, and he said plane! So I'm not installing one in my plane. I think that will be a bit absurd."
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
In a similar case of crossed wires, photographs of Oscar Piastri driving a McLaren road car on the streets of Melbourne emerged on Reddit recently, with the poster claiming that Daniel Ricciardo was in the passenger seat.
The pictures were subsequently used by media outlets – including the Daily Mail – as evidence that the two men have established a friendship despite Ricciardo being dropped by McLaren in favour of his younger countryman.
However, Ricciardo says it wasn’t him in the pictures and he hasn’t met Piastri in person during the off-season.
"For the record, that was a meme,” said the new Red Bull third driver. “I think he was in a McLaren with someone that kind of look like me, so everyone was like, ‘Oh Daniel's giving Oscar driving tips,’ or something like that!
“But no, it wasn't me, so I wasn't with him in person. But we spoke a little bit towards the end of last year."
Read Also:
- Horner admits Red Bull’s real F1 RB19 will be ‘somewhat different’
- Why Ford can offer Red Bull what Porsche could not in F1
- Ford: F1 return wasn’t possible without changes to engine rules
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ford: F1 return wasn’t possible without changes to engine rules
Next article Alesi: “Politics”, not F1, to blame for French GP exit
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment

More from
Adam Cooper

RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024

Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team

Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility

More from
Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen explains why he’s so good in the rain in Brazil
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
16 h
Max Verstappen explains why he’s so good in the rain in Brazil

What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
19 h
What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Latest news

Austin Cindric wins Ford Veterans Day Classic at Daytona
General
Misc General 1 h
Austin Cindric wins Ford Veterans Day Classic at Daytona

Kevin Harvick: NASCAR needs a Gen 7.5 car and 'some hard conversations'
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Kevin Harvick: NASCAR needs a Gen 7.5 car and 'some hard conversations'

Frankie Muniz "a little sore," released from hospital after Daytona crash
General
Misc General 3 h
Frankie Muniz "a little sore," released from hospital after Daytona crash

Frankie Muniz transported to hospital after Daytona practice crash
General
Misc General 8 h
Frankie Muniz transported to hospital after Daytona practice crash
Feature
Discover prime content

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe



