Max Verstappen fuels passion on the world’s most insane track

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Highlights

Max Verstappen to race a GT3 car at Nordschleife endurance event
Verstappen recently obtained a Nordschleife licence for official racing
Four-hour race scheduled for Saturday, with practice on Friday evening
Verstappen teams up with Chris Lulham for the endurance race
Tom Coronel praises Verstappen’s skill and expects podium contention
Weather and tyre choices crucial on the complex Nordschleife track

Max Verstappen will contest a four-hour GT3 endurance race at the Nordschleife on Saturday, partnering Chris Lulham, days after winning in Azerbaijan, having newly secured the required Nordschleife competition licence.

The event shifts him from Formula 1 to multi-class GT racing on a circuit famed for length, complexity, and risk, often listed among the best racing tracks.

Practice runs are scheduled Friday from 16:00 to 19:00, giving drivers time to recalibrate, before Saturday’s race. With his licence, Verstappen can officially enter VLN rounds at the Nürburgring.

Max Verstappen prepares for a GT3 endurance outing at the Nordschleife — Image Credit: RacingNews365

Veteran GT racer Tom Coronel calls the Nordschleife an addiction and jokes he’d prefer Verstappen avoid outside passes, while stressing the circuit’s unforgiving nature and its unique driver allure.

Coronel describes the Nordschleife as the most “insane” circuit and an addiction for drivers.

The competitive equation differs from Formula 1. GT3 specialists thrive on traffic management, Code 60 phases, and stint discipline. Verstappen’s learning curve centers on adaptation, not single-lap outright pace.

Weather remains the key variable. Rapid swings between dry and wet reward accurate calls on slicks versus wets, where experience and tyre preparation can decide track position and stint outcomes.

Sharing with Lulham, Verstappen must align on stints, tyre windows, and risk tolerance. Clean execution through traffic reflects industry trends seen across motorsport disciplines.

Weather and tyre timing could be decisive, especially with rapid shifts between slicks and wets.

Max Verstappen in high-speed action, highlighting his qualifying prowess — Image Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat

Friday’s 16:00–19:00 practice offers mileage to learn traffic patterns and create a baseline on tyres and fuel. Coronel and Verstappen plan to use that window to establish rhythm and references.

Coronel expects Verstappen to be competitive immediately and potentially fight for the podium, though specialists with deep Nordschleife knowledge set the benchmark in changing conditions.

Coronel believes Verstappen has podium pace and can even fight for victory.

For fans, this outing showcases Verstappen beyond F1, applying his skill-set to GT3 machinery, among the most successful race cars globally, on a circuit that rewards precision over reputation.

Visual Summary

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Verstappen
Chases Addiction
at the Nordschleife

“The Most Insane Circuit”

4h Endurance / 20.8 km Lap

VLN Series debut
with Chris Lulham

🛞
Tyre calls win or lose
🌧️

Max Verstappen steps out of Formula 1 to chase the thrill of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, facing 4 hours of GT3 endurance and wild weather, with tyre strategy key to mastering the ‘most insane circuit on Earth.’

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.