Red Bull defend 'fanatical' Max Verstappen after Nordschleife masterclass

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has voiced support for Max Verstappen exploring racing categories outside F1, following the Dutchman winning on debut in GT3 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion obtained his licence to race at the legendary circuit the weekend between his stunning victories in the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, with his first competitive start in GT3 coming between the F1 round in Baku and the upcoming trip to Singapore.

As the 28-year-old faces the prospect of tackling the Marina Bay Street Circuit — which is the only venue on the current F1 calendar he has yet to conquer — some have criticised his packed schedule, and what it means for his F1 commitments and even his personal duties.

However, Marko, who came up through motorsport during an era in which blending different categories was commonplace, has moved to quieten any negativity surrounding Verstappen's extra-curricular activities.

The Austrian dismissed the suggestion that the Red Bull driver should focus solely on F1. When speaking on the oe24 talk show, he said: "Max is simply a fanatical racing driver and seizes every opportunity.

"That just suits him. In my day, I drove everything, too."

Reflecting on Verstappen's GT3 debut at the track known as the Green Hell, where the 67-time grand prix winner converted third on the grid into a comfortable outright victory with team-mate Chris Lulham, Marko was effusive in his praise.

"It's unbelievable how Max did it," he said. "Just the start and the first corner, the way he overtook the two in front of him, that was once again Verstappen-like. No one else can do that."

Having swept round the outside and into the lead at the first corner, he built a lead of over a minute across the first half of the four-hour race.

Lulham encountered various slow zones in the final two hours but was nonetheless able to bring their Ferrari 296 GT3 car home with a 24-second advantage.

Marko revealed he was "impressed, but not surprised," with Verstappen's exploits, given the form he has shown in F1. "He gave the second driver a minute," the 82-year-old added. "He does that in the Formula 1 car, too."

Verstappen's ultimate aim is to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, which he may do as early as next year. He has also expressed an interest in teaming up with his father, Jos, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future, as well.

Despite the elder Verstappen dampening expectations of that in the past, Marko can see it happening. He concluded: "Jos stays in shape through rally racing. He's very fast there. When Max retires from Formula 1, I can very well imagine that... If the Formula 1 championship allows it."

Back-to-back victories in F1 have thrust Verstappen back into the drivers' championship equation, and he heads to Singapore trailing Oscar Piastri by 69 points in the standings with seven rounds remaining.