Helmut Marko explains why Max Verstappen is currently not allowed to compete in 24-Hour GT3 race

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Max Verstappen has made no secret of wanting to compete in sportscar racing after he was seen testing his GT3 car earlier this year.

The Dutchman took part in a test at Spa Francorchamps recently under the pseudonym Franz Hermann, although this was quickly spotted by fans on social media.

Verstappen would later sell ‘Franz Hermann’ merch, which sold out within minutes, while also explaining that he wanted the most German name as possible.

It showed that Verstappen is keen to explore options beyond F1, but his ability to compete for the win might be temporarily blocked, according to Helmut Marko, when speaking to Kleine Zeitung.

Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen not allowed to compete in Nurburgring 24 hours

Many think Verstappen will compete in a GT3 race soon, given that he is struggling to compete for the F1 title this year due to Red Bull’s difficult start.

Marko believes Verstappen would face one limitation because of the regulations in the country that it is held in, and the requirement of the Nurburgring licence to compete.

“If he stops with Formula 1, then Le Mans will probably excite him. And the 24 hours at the Nürburgring, that excites him even more. But that’s a farce, he’s currently not allowed to start with a top car.

“That’s just German regulations. It doesn’t help him that he is a four-time world champion, that he broke the lap record after three laps in his first test. There is no exception for him, he has to do two tests or two races. But he will do that.”

Red Bull preparing for one ‘nightmare’ scenario with Max Verstappen

Verstappen is now just a few weeks away from having some of the points on his superlicence revoked, with him currently just one point off an automatic race ban.

The Dutchman was on the brink after he received three points for a collision with George Russell in Spain, taking him to 11 points in total in 12 months.

Red Bull protested the result in Canada for unsporting conduct, after they felt Russell was trying to coax a reaction from Verstappen.

The stewards threw out the protest, but Verstappen will need to ensure he avoids any incidents which could result in further points and trigger the ban.