Nürburgring, Germany – Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen continues to demonstrate his passion for racing beyond the pinnacle of motorsport, recently reflecting on a thrilling return to the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a GT3 car. While preparing for a potential debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen enjoyed a competitive outing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in March and is now outlining his plans for the coming weeks, which include sitting out one NLS race due to a scheduling conflict with the GT World Challenge Europe.
Verstappen, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Winward under the Verstappen Racing banner alongside GT3 specialists Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, relished the different challenges presented by the NLS compared to the highly structured world of Formula 1. “It was very fine and very fun, that first stint,” Verstappen told Viaplay, describing a race where he was pushing the limits. “I was basically going flat out every lap, almost side-by-side and overtaking other cars,” he said, referencing a spirited duel with veteran driver Christopher Haase.
Verstappen is followed closely by Haase at the start of the race.
Haase initially took the lead at the end of the opening lap, but Verstappen regained the position before bringing the car into the pits at the end of his stint. “Just before we had to arrive into the pit lane, it worked out well. The Audi was a bit faster on the straight, so I had to ‘sidedraft’ him the whole straight, basically to the pits. It was very fun. It gave me a lot of pleasure,” explained the driver of Verstappen Racing. The term “sidedrafting” refers to a technique where a driver strategically positions their car alongside an opponent to gain an aerodynamic advantage and force a pass.
Verstappen emphasized the importance of taking the lead before handing the car over to teammate Dani Juncadella. “If the chance is there, then you move for it, of course. That chance came up, but we were close together for the whole stint. Just at the last moment, I got that chance, so that was fine.” Verstappen Racing briefly lost the lead due to a slightly slower pit stop, but Juncadella quickly regained the position and pulled away from the competition.
The race also saw Verstappen execute a daring overtake, squeezing through a narrow gap between two other competitors. “You have to assess what’s happening. I also braked first to see what they would do, but they both held their line, so then you can go for it again,” Verstappen explained, demonstrating his calculated approach even in aggressive maneuvers.
April Plans and NLS Schedule
Looking ahead to April, Verstappen indicated he is evaluating options for further participation in GT3 racing. However, he confirmed he will miss the next NLS race, NLS3, due to a clash with the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard. “NLS3 we are definitely not doing, because the team is then in Paul Ricard for the first race,” he stated.
Despite missing the race itself, Verstappen left the door open for a potential appearance in the qualifying races. “Maybe the qualifiers,” he added. “At the moment, only (Lucas) Auer can drive that race, and Dani (Juncadella) and Jules (Gounon) can’t, so Lucas is the only one in the car. It would be helpful if someone joined him!” This suggests Verstappen is considering driving in the qualifying races, scheduled for April 18th and 19th, which are major events on the NLS calendar alongside the 24-hour race.
Verstappen reiterated his interest in contributing to the team’s efforts, stating that he would not want Auer to have to tackle the qualifying races alone. He also emphasized the enjoyment he derives from racing GT3 cars, noting that it “puts a big smile on my face.”
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” presents a unique challenge for drivers, demanding precision and adaptability. The NLS serves as valuable preparation for the grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring, a race Verstappen is expected to contest later in the year. The combination of Verstappen’s F1 experience and his growing expertise in GT3 racing makes him a formidable competitor on this iconic circuit.
Verstappen’s next confirmed action will be his participation in the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard. Fans can follow updates on Verstappen Racing’s performance through official team channels and the NLS website.
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