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It is a rest week in Formula 1, but Max Verstappen crawls behind the wheel this weekend. On the illustrious circuit De Nürburgring, the four-time world champion Formula 1 tries to get a license to participate at the highest level of the 24-hour race, the annual highlight on the German circuit.
Today he has to follow a training with a theory part and an exam. Tomorrow he must then drive fourteen laps in the race to receive his A license. He will probably do that in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4.
Jeroen Bleekemolen, Formula 1 analysts and ‘endurance veteran’, is participating in the same regular four-hour races this weekend and is even a direct rival of Verstappen, which comes out in a relatively slow car. Moreover, Verstappen’s car is extra limited because it racet for the first time on the Nürburgring, including the twenty kilometer long and extra dangerous Nordschleife.
“What he has to drive now is actually a stupid car. He is not going fast at all. But I already know that he will get in and will be quick. We don’t have to wonder, he is just in front right away,” says Bleekemolen.
Verstappen had to do a racing course, that is actually too childish for words.
A Formula 1 champion that has to get his ‘driver’s license’, it may sound a bit strange. The organization of the long-distance races on the Nürburgring uses strict requirements. The circuit – nicknamed De Groene Hell – is known as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. In Formula 1, for decades, it is no longer racing after a few major accidents.
Dangerous
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In addition, this weekend, in addition to fast racing cars, tour cars and even street cars such as a Dacia Logan at the same time on the track. “Simply put: a few people fall on the circuit every year,” says Bleekemolen about the danger of the job. “It is especially on the days that tourists can buy and drive a ticket. Everything drives together: motorbikes, cars and buses, but that often goes wrong.”
Bleekemolen: “At the competition they want to make it safer. The course is dangerous. It is fast and blind and if there is a car around the corner, you have a problem. There are separate safety rules, you have to know well. There are people who are never allowed to race there again because they have made mistakes.”
“Verstappen has to do a racing course, which is actually too childish for words. He has to show that he can do it bend before the turn. I don’t have to do that because I have a lot of experience, but my colleague Marc Lieb won the 24-hour race several times, and still had to do the course again because he did not participate in a few years.”
Every year ten large races are driven on the Nürburgring in the NLS championship, culminating in the 24-hour race in the summer. Verstappen has wanted to participate in this for a long time, in the highest class.
That is why the Limburger will have to show this weekend that he can also safely drive the Nordschleife in a slower car. Bleekemolen: “He can drive with any car, everyone wants him. If it does not coincide with Formula 1 next year, he will try to ride the 24-hour race. He has driven him online a few times.”
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According to Bleekemolen, it is no problem for Verstappen to exchange a fast F1 car for a much slower Porsche. “Max has so much experience with simulators that he is already used to the car. For me it would not help anything, I have to feel the car in real life to know how he drives. He can sit in the car and translate the feeling.”
When Bleekemolen heard Van Verstappen’s participation this weekend, he decided to arrange a seat and travel to Germany. “I saw that he was on the starting list and I thought: that’s laughing, then I will also drive. I immediately started calling some teams, and they wanted me in the car.”
Bleekemolen drives the same material as Verstappen, although his car can differ slightly in terms of engine. “We’re going to see who is faster, I think,” says Bleekemolen. “I hope I have more power.”
Verstappen takes on the Nürburgring: A Shift from F1 to Endurance Racing
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Every year ten large races are driven on the Nürburgring in the NLS championship, culminating in the 24-hour race in the summer. Verstappen has wanted to participate in this for a long time, in the highest class.
That is why the Limburger will have to show this weekend that he can also safely drive the Nordschleife in a slower car. Bleekemolen: “He can drive with any car,everyone wants him. If it does not coincide with Formula 1 next year, he will try to ride the 24-hour race. He has driven him online a few times.”
Switch
According to Bleekemolen, it is no problem for Verstappen to exchange a fast F1 car for a much slower Porsche. “Max has so much experience with simulators that he is already used to the car. For me it would not help anything, I have to feel the car in real life to know how he drives. he can sit in the car and translate the feeling.”
When Bleekemolen heard Van VerstappenS participation this weekend, he decided to arrange a seat and travel to Germany. “I saw that he was on the starting list and I thought: that’s laughing, then I will also drive. I immediately started calling some teams, and they wanted me in the car.”
Bleekemolen drives the same material as Verstappen, although his car can differ slightly in terms of engine.”We’re going to see who is faster, I think,” says Bleekemolen. “I hope I have more power.”
Verstappen’s Nürburgring Adventure: By the Numbers
To provide a clearer viewpoint on this exciting shift, let’s break down some key aspects of Verstappen’s foray into endurance racing:
| Feature | Details | Significance |
| ———————– | ———————————————————————————————————— | ———————————————————————————————– |
| Car Type | Porsche (Specific Model TBD) | Transition from high-performance F1 car to a less powerful, but still challenging, sports car. |
| Race Series | Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) | Gateway to potentially competing in the legendary 24-hour race. |
| Nordschleife | The “Green Hell” – a challenging 12.9-mile track with over 150 turns. | Test of skill and adaptability in a demanding surroundings. |
| Simulator Experience | Verstappen has extensive experience with simulators, including the Nordschleife. | Facilitates a smoother transition due to muscle memory and understanding of the track. |
| Bleekemolen’s Role | Fellow racer; providing context and a benchmark for comparison. | Adds an element of competition and provides insights to audience.|
| Goal | To gain experience and potentially compete in the 24-hour race if it doesn’t conflict with F1 commitments.| A new chapter or opportunity in racing and expanding his racing resume. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Verstappen’s Nürburgring Race
Q: why is Max Verstappen racing at the Nürburgring?
A: Verstappen has long expressed interest in endurance racing and the Nürburgring, particularly the legendary 24-hour race. This weekend’s event provides an opportunity to gain experience on the challenging Nordschleife track and potentially prepare for a future 24-hour race participation, provided it doesn’t conflict with his Formula 1 commitments.
Q: what kind of car will Verstappen be driving?
A: He will be driving a Porsche. The precise model hasn’t been revealed at the time of this writing but rest assured that the car should provide proper entertainment for the fans.
Q: What is the Nordschleife?
A: The Nordschleife, also known as the “Green Hell,” is a 12.9-mile (20.832 km) race track at the Nürburgring. It’s one of the world’s most challenging and demanding race tracks due to its length, numerous turns, and elevation changes.
Q: How does Verstappen’s experience in F1 translate to endurance racing?
A: While Formula 1 cars are vastly different from the porsche he’ll be driving, verstappen’s extraordinary driving skill, and experience in simulators, particularly his simulation experience on the Nordschleife, should help him adapt. the basic principles of racecraft,car control,and strategic thinking gained in F1 are highly transferable.
Q: Who is Jeroen Bleekemolen and why is he involved?
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