Verstappen and the Nurburgring - going beyond F1

With Max Verstappen's well documented push to race at the Nurburgring, we discuss why it’s a good idea for Formula 1 drivers to race in other forms of motorsport.

In modern Formula 1, drivers are often contractually tied down, restricted from racing in other categories for fear of injury or distraction. Teams invest millions in their stars and understandably want to protect them. Occasionally this point is highlighted...think Robert Kubica's near--career ending rally crash when he was still a Renault F1 driver. Yet, looking back at the 'golden eras' of motorsport, it becomes clear that the sport overall benefitted when drivers competed across disciplines.

Legends like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Mario Andretti didn’t just stick to F1 - they also raced and indeed won in Indycar, sports cars, and even touring cars - at the same time as they were involved in F1. There’s a strong case for why today’s F1 drivers should be allowed, and even encouraged, to follow in their footsteps.

Building true all-rounders

One of the great appeals of drivers from particularly the 1960s and 70s was their versatility. Jim Clark famously balanced his F1 career with Indycar, winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. Graham Hill remains the only man to win the so-called Triple Crown of Motorsport: the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and the Le Mans 24 Hours. These achievements weren’t just about collecting trophies - they showcased an adaptability that made these drivers complete racers, capable of mastering any machine.

In today’s era of hyper-specialisation, this variety has been lost. Aside from a few occasions...the Race of Champions for example...a modern F1 driver rarely competes outside of their bubble, and while the level of professionalism in the sport is higher than ever, it arguably makes them less relatable and less rounded. Allowing drivers to race in different disciplines would reignite the spirit of adaptability and broaden their skillset. 

Growing the audience

When F1 drivers cross over into other series, it generates global attention. Verstappen is the current example, but a few years ago Fernando Alonso’s attempt at the Indy 500 was another. His participation didn’t just elevate the race’s prestige - it also brought a wave of new fans from F1 into Indycar. Similarly, his ventures into endurance racing helped highlight the World Endurance Championship to a fresh audience. These crossovers create cross-pollination between fanbases, strengthening motorsport as a whole rather than siloing audiences.

For promoters and organisers of these alternative championships, the presence of an F1 star is marketing gold. It doesn't do F1 too badly either, as it's extra exposure and it keeps F1 drivers relevant beyond their own paddock, turning them into global motorsport ambassadors.

Preserving the romance of racing

There’s also a cultural side to this argument. Motorsport has always been about pushing boundaries of technology, of human skill, and of bravery. Seeing F1 drivers take on new challenges harks back to an era when racers were adventurers, willing to race anything, anywhere. It connects today’s generation with the legends of the past, maintaining a sense of continuity that enriches motorsport history. For fans and collectors, it also keeps alive the stories behind the memorabilia - race-worn helmets, posters, and car parts that represent a wider world of competition beyond F1.

Why it could work today

While the risks of injury are real, motorsport is already inherently dangerous. With proper planning, teams could accommodate occasional appearances in other series without compromising their F1 campaign. Endurance racing, Indycar, or even Formula E could provide off-season opportunities, while enhancing a driver’s marketability and keeping fans engaged year-round.

Conclusion

Encouraging F1 drivers to compete outside of their championship would strengthen their reputations, enrich motorsport culture, and bring audiences closer together. Clark, Ickx, and even Nigel Mansell became legends not only because of their F1 success, but because they proved themselves across disciplines. For genuine motorsport fans, this variety also fuels a passion for collecting motorsport memorabilia and celebrating the wider history of racing. In a time when motorsport is competing for global attention, perhaps the best way forward is to look back—towards an era when racing meant more than just Formula 1.