Max Verstappen Rival Calls Dream Debut ‘Absolutely Crazy’

Max Verstappen wins on his GT3 debut at the Nordschleife, converting third on the grid into control of the race. Rival Frank Stippler calls the outcome logical rather than surprising.

He leads immediately after Turn 1 and extends the gap relentlessly. After a two-hour stint, Verstappen hands the Ferrari 296 to Chris Lulham with more than a minute’s cushion.

Stippler, racing a Ford Mustang GT3, highlights the Ferrari’s contribution. He labels the 296 the GT3 benchmark and a worthy successor to the now-outdated Audi R8.

Friday practice supports that view. Stippler follows Verstappen for a stretch and notes the 296’s pace and balance stand out, despite the model’s limited recent mileage at the circuit.

He still credits the driver. Stippler calls Verstappen the best track racer globally, arguing the victory reflects an elite pairing supported by meticulous preparation and crisp traffic management.

Verstappen and Lulham invest hours in simulator work and testing before the event. That groundwork shortens their learning curve and reduces risk across the Nordschleife’s variable conditions.

Verstappen signals interest in a Nürburgring 24 Hours campaign and further outings in the NLS Series. A return would test endurance execution rather than outright single-stint speed.

He also rejects simplistic comparisons. Stippler describes critiques of Verstappen’s lap times as laughable and ‘just crazy,’ noting Formula 1 drivers operate with advantages not replicable in GT3.

The result underlines Verstappen’s adaptability and the Nordschleife field’s depth. If he returns, he becomes an immediate reference in endurance competition and GT racing.

That crossover mirrors broader auto-racing industry trends, where elite drivers sample multiple platforms to broaden skills and brand reach.

Amid GT success, Verstappen’s Formula 1 campaign continues. He sits third behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with Singapore on October 5, then United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas.

That schedule sits alongside Red Bull’s future planning, including 2026 project priorities, leaving Verstappen to balance commitments across formats.

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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.