Max Verstappen’s growing influence in global motorsport has once again become impossible to ignore, with the extraordinary turnout at the Nürburgring 24 Hours offering fresh proof of the Dutch driver’s immense popularity. More than 350,000 fans attended the iconic endurance event, with much of the attention naturally centred around the four-time Formula 1 world champion and his participation.
Few understand the dynamics of Formula 1 stardom better than former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who now manages McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. The Australian believes Max Verstappen has become one of the defining personalities in modern motorsport and a major factor in why so many fans continue to follow the sport so closely.
Mark Webber says Max Verstappen is essential to Formula 1’s appeal
The sold-out Nürburgring 24 Hours and the huge audience that followed last weekend’s event served as another clear reminder of Max Verstappen’s drawing power far beyond Formula 1 itself. His appearance generated enormous interest, reinforcing the idea that the Dutch driver’s appeal extends well outside the Grand Prix paddock.
Mark Webber made his view very clear while speaking to RacingNews365.com, arguing that Formula 1 needs standout figures capable of captivating audiences in exactly this way: “If you look at the sport as a whole, it needs characters like Verstappen,” Mark Webber said. “We need people like this. People tune in because of Max Verstappen.”
That assessment reflects a broader reality within Formula 1, where star power increasingly plays a crucial role not only in audience engagement, but also in the commercial strength of the championship.
Questions remain over Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future
According to Mark Webber, this importance is something Liberty Media’s leadership understands perfectly well. As the commercial rights holder of Formula 1, the company is fully aware of the value a driver like Max Verstappen brings to the championship, both competitively and commercially.
At the same time, Max Verstappen’s remarkable achievements have given him an enviable position when it comes to shaping his future in Formula 1. With multiple world titles and years of elite-level success behind him, the Dutch driver has earned the freedom to make career decisions entirely on his own terms.
Mark Webber also emphasised how important Max Verstappen’s continued presence is for the competitive spirit of the entire grid: “The teams know it as well: it’s important, fundamental that Max stays in Formula 1, because he motivates every driver on the grid, and that’s what Formula 1 is all about. You have to stay constantly motivated,” he explained.
Mark Webber also touched on the broader question of long-term motivation, while making it clear he was not suggesting Max Verstappen is currently losing his competitive edge: “Of course, I want Max to stay in Formula 1, but if the incentives begin to fade — and I’m certainly not suggesting he’s losing motivation — then that motivation will gradually disappear. He has an enormous record, he has delivered results year after year, and that gives him the freedom to choose.”
For Formula 1, that may be the key concern. Max Verstappen is not simply one of the fastest drivers on the grid — he has become one of the sport’s central attractions, and any uncertainty around his long-term future will inevitably remain a major talking point.
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