F1 Stars Bearman, Hadjar Focus on Top Tier, Unlike Verstappen's Diversions

Max Verstappen is increasingly venturing into other motorsport disciplines, from sim racing to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. While his initiative fascinates, young F1 hopefuls like Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar prefer to stay focused on their premier category, believing such opportunities must be “earned.”.

Formula 1 is akin to the pinnacle of a pyramid. Once at the top, some drivers want to explore what lies beside it, while others prefer to admire the view. Max Verstappen, it seems, isn’t afraid of heights. A four-time world champion, the Dutchman doesn’t hesitate to stray from the beaten path, juggling his passion for sim racing—which he practices at a near-professional level—with more visceral experiences, such as the recent 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

As the 2025 F1 season unfolds, the Red Bull driver has proven his versatility, participating in virtual races on iRacing, teaming up with a squad in GT World Challenge Europe, and even lining up on the formidable Nordschleife at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3. This is a rare move for a top-tier driver, sparking as much admiration as it does questions. While the idea might inspire some, it remains out of reach for the discipline’s rising stars for now.

Verstappen: The Jack-of-All-Trades Disrupting the Norms

Max Verstappen isn’t one to rest on his laurels. As the reigning world champion, he finds time to dabble in other motorsport disciplines, showcasing an uncommon thirst for adventure within the current Formula 1 paddock. His participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, alongside Lucas Auer, Daniel Juncadella, and Jules Gounon, left a significant impression. Despite retiring with a transmission failure just three hours from the finish, while running in a leading position, the feat captured the attention of the entire F1 world.

This versatility isn’t new. We recall Fernando Alonso tackling the Indianapolis 500 in 2016, or Nico Hülkenberg winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015. However, these excursions are generally seen as exceptions, or even distractions potentially detrimental to the focus required for motorsport’s highest echelon. The very notion of an F1 driver spreading themselves too thin is often frowned upon by teams and organizers.

Bearman and Hadjar: Youthful Prudence

In contrast to Verstappen’s boldness, F1’s next generation displays measured caution. Oliver Bearman, one of the season’s revelations, has clearly stated his lack of appetite for similar adventures. “No, I’m quite happy in F1,” he declared, emphasizing the already substantial workload in his category. For him, the right to try other disciplines, like endurance racing, must be earned. “I think you have to earn it: earn the right to go and explore other categories, and that’s not something I’ve done.” This philosophy highlights progression and legitimacy gained through success.

Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull junior driver, shares this view. Impressed by Verstappen’s exploits on the Nordschleife, which he followed closely via onboard cameras, he acknowledges the entertaining and unique nature of such races. However, he doesn’t feel he’s in a position to emulate his elder yet. “I would love to
, but for the moment, I can’t really afford it. I’m fully focused on F1,” he confides. This focus, he believes, is paramount for any driver aspiring to reach the pinnacle of the premier category.

A Transformed Motorsport Landscape

There was a time when F1 and other disciplines coexisted more easily. Up until the 1970s, Grand Prix drivers didn’t hesitate to enter endurance races, which were often more lucrative in terms of prize money. F1, less publicized then, allowed more room for such diversification. The rise of television and increasing global exposure in the 1980s marked a turning point. The calendar expanded, testing programs intensified, gradually reducing driver availability.

Nico Hülkenberg’s victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 with Porsche remains a notable event, but it occurred in a context where “active” F1 drivers were rare at Le Mans. Yannick Dalmas in 1994 was the last example, and even then, with a very limited F1 driver status that year. Increased professionalization and restrictive contracts from F1 teams, often linked to manufacturers, have made participation in races for other brands more complex.

The Shadow of Ecclestone and Modern F1

Bernie Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, never hid his reluctance towards his drivers’ extra-F1 activities. He viewed any diversion of attention as a potential threat to the investments and aura of the premier discipline. It wasn’t uncommon for Grands Prix to be scheduled concurrently with the 24 Hours of Le Mans to discourage participation. 2015 was an exception, without date conflicts, but Hülkenberg was quickly reprimanded by Ecclestone for talking too much about his Le Mans victory.

While the Ecclestone era is over, F1 is now an even more colossal enterprise. The demands for concentration and performance are higher than ever. With a calendar stretching over 24 weekends, opportunities to compete elsewhere remain intrinsically limited, even without direct conflict with major endurance races. The room for maneuver for less established drivers, like Bearman or Hadjar, is therefore considerably reduced.

F1: A Total Commitment Requiring Merit

Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s team principal and advisor respectively, were never the biggest fans of their star’s extracurricular escapades. But for a quadruple world champion, an undisputed pillar of the team, refusing such a project was out of the question. Max Verstappen was thus able to indulge his passion, demonstrating once again that he navigates according to his own rules.

For young drivers like Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, the situation is different. Their absolute priority remains progression in F1. They understand that the discipline demands total commitment and that distractions, even prestigious ones, can be detrimental. The idea of “earning” the right to try other categories, as Bearman suggests, reflects a maturity and ambition that, beyond their raw talent, could well be the keys to their future success in the premier category.

Key Takeaways

F1 demands total concentration and commitment, limiting excursions into other disciplines.
Max Verstappen stands out as an exception, combining F1 with varied experiences thanks to his status.
Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar prioritize progression in F1, believing the right to compete elsewhere must be earned.
History shows an evolution: F1, once more permeable, has become more exclusive.
Increased professionalization and longer calendars drastically reduce opportunities for F1 drivers.
The “earn your stripes” philosophy among young talents could be a sign of their future success in F1.

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