Helmut Marko declared Nordschleife ban for Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko has reflected on when he banned Max Verstappen from attempting an F1 run at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, as the Dutchman returns to the iconic circuit for his latest challenge there.

Widely regarded as one of the most challenging tracks in world motorsport, the 'Green Hell' has become an increasingly popular outlet for drivers seeking competition beyond Formula 1, particularly in endurance and GT racing.

Verstappen competed there last year and will be at the wheel of his GT3 team's Mercedes AMG this weekend, competing in NLS2.

However, the four-time F1 drivers' champion's interest in the circuit is not new. According to former Red Bull advisor Marko, he had once set his sights on something far more ambitious — a run in a Formula 1 car.

"Years ago, Max told me enthusiastically about the Nordschleife. He wanted to do a demo run with a Red Bull Formula 1 car. But with me, all alarm bells went off at that time,” Marko told F1-Insider.

The prospect of unleashing a modern F1 car on the narrow, high-speed Nordschleife — with its minimal run-off and punishing barriers — immediately raised red flags for the Austrian.

"There was no question of a demo run! Max had seen that insane video in which Timo Bernhard broke the lap record with a Le Mans Porsche," he added. "I think he wanted to beat that again with the Red Bull."

Bernhard’s 2018 record lap in Porsche’s 919 Hybrid Evo remains one of the most extraordinary achievements in circuit history, and highlights the level of performance Verstappen believed could be possible.

But Marko was quick to shut down any such plans: "That was too dangerous for me. That's why I put a stop to it and banned it."

Despite being denied the opportunity to tackle the Nordschleife in F1 machinery, Verstappen has since found an outlet for his passion at the circuit.

"Fortunately, he can now enjoy himself on the Nordschleife with the Mercedes GT3," Marko said. "However, I fear that he still has Timo Bernhard's lap record in the back of his mind. After all, he is a driver of the old school."