Verstappen set for endurance debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend
Max Verstappen to Make Endurance Racing Debut at Nürburgring Nordschleife
Max Verstappen will make his endurance racing debut at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend, stepping beyond Formula 1 for a long-anticipated run on one of motorsport’s most daunting circuits.
Interest Beyond Formula 1
The four-time Formula 1 world champion has been open about his interest in competing outside F1 in sports car racing. Earlier this year, he quietly tested at the 13-mile Nordschleife—nicknamed the “Green Hell”—under the alias “Franz Hermann” to prepare for an eventual race. His debut has now been confirmed by German publication Auto Motor und Sport.
Debut Preparations and Race Plans
Fresh off a surprise victory at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, his third win of the season, Verstappen will first need to pass an exam on Friday to secure the paperwork required to compete at the Nürburgring Nordschleife endurance event. According to Auto Motor und Sport, a successful test would clear him to race a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS on Saturday at the Nordschleife.
From there, Verstappen aims to progress into a Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Swiss outfit Emil Frey Racing before the end of the weekend, a move that could be permitted with special dispensation for the Nürburgring Nordschleife race.
Motivation Beyond Formula 1
The push to broaden his racing horizons also reflects an ongoing discussion around how long Verstappen will remain fully motivated in Formula 1. Red Bull racing advisor Helmut Marko believes experiences like the Nordschleife will be vital to keeping him engaged.
"At a time when our Formula 1 car wasn't running properly, he was there with great enthusiasm," Marko told Motorsport.com. "It was an important distraction for his well-being."
The Challenge of the Nordschleife
The Nordschleife, a former host of the German Grand Prix, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous tracks—most infamously remembered for Niki Lauda’s fiery crash there in 1976. For Verstappen, the challenge represents both a fresh frontier and a high-stakes test away from the F1 spotlight, underscoring his endurance racing ambitions at the iconic Nürburgring.
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