Kimi Antonelli wanting to replicate Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring stint should scare F1 teams

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After Kimi Antonelli expressed his desire to follow in Max Verstappen’s footsteps in the future, F1 teams must be worried about the precedent that’s being set.

Verstappen had an impressive showing at Nurburgring Nordschleife, securing pole position by 1.9 seconds ahead of the race.

However, despite crossing the chequered line with a seeming win, Verstappen’s victory was nullified owing to a disqualification.

Verstappen impressed his rivals at Nordschleife with his performance, even with the disqualification, as he eyes the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.

Upon seeing Max Verstappen thrive outside of Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli expressed his own interest in participating in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in the future.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen has already shown Lewis Hamilton how to take first Ferrari win in Japanese Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli hoping for Max Verstappen team-up in future at Nurburgring

Last weekend, ahead of his Chinese Grand Prix win, Kimi Antonelli spoke to F1.com about pairing up with Max Verstappen in the future at an endurance race.

Aside from potentially teaming up with Verstappen, Antonelli also discussed his own aspirations to take part in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in the future.

“I would love to do an endurance race with Max together. I think that would be pretty awesome. It’s cool because we both have a passion for GTs. Obviously, on my side, it came from my dad with the GT team.”

“Occasionally, I go and test when I can, and obviously, Max, as well, has been really enjoying it. It’s really cool for him to do the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.”

“I think it’s going to be a really cool event, and definitely I’ll be watching it. It’s something that in the future I would really like to do, to race with him in an endurance race.”

“I think it would be a really cool pair, and it will be a really cool experience, but it’s something that I’ve been considering as well.”

“I’ve already asked for a test at the Nordschleife, for example, because it’s a track that I love, and I would love to be able to try it in the real world as well.”

READ MORE: Toto Wolff says there was only one ‘danger’ in his decision to sign Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes

Max Verstappen could inspire other drivers to pursue endurance racing during F1 season

Verstappen managed to get the all-clear from Red Bull to participate at Nurburgring this weekend, and at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.

Given how well he performed, despite the disqualification, there is a chance that he could inspire other drivers, like he has Antonelli, to pursue endurance and other avenues of racing during the season.

This will undoubtedly cause some concern for F1 teams, who wouldn’t want to sanction their drivers participating in other races during the season.

The liability risk is extremely high, as an accident or injury could jeopardise a team’s season in no time. By not shutting the door on Verstappen, Red Bull may have set an unwanted precedent for drivers.

If more drivers follow suit in the months and years to come, do not be surprised if teams take it upon themselves to bar their drivers from non-F1 racing during the season.

F1 teams could also seek FIA approval for a ban on non-F1 racing events during the season, thus further restricting drivers.