Max Verstappen set to achieve objective of participating in Nurburgring 24 Hours
Max Verstappen will achieve his ambition of participating in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, as his GT3 team, Verstappen Racing, has confirmed its entry into the endurance race.
The four-time world champion began his path to the 24-hour event last year by obtaining a licence to compete at the circuit, followed by his participation in and victory at the ninth round of the NLS (Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie).
For this year’s 24 Hours, scheduled for May 16 and 17, Verstappen will drive a Red Bull-liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by his own team, sharing the car with Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer. The vehicle will carry the starting number 3, the same number he uses in F1.
The German track, known as “The Green Hell,” has gained iconic status since its opening in 1927, but was removed from the F1 calendar in 1976 due to safety concerns.
The 15.7-mile configuration used for NLS events combines the modern grand prix circuit with the historic Nordschleife, featuring banked corners, blind crests, and minimal run-off areas.
In preparation for this year’s race, Verstappen has also registered for a four-hour preliminary event at the Nurburgring, NLS2, which is set for March 21.
The scheduling of these races aligns with Verstappen’s F1 obligations with Red Bull, as NLS2 occurs during the free weekend between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, while the 24 Hours takes place in the two-week interval between the Miami Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix.
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“The Nürburgring is a unique venue,” Verstappen stated. “There is no other track comparable to it. The 24h Nürburgring has been on my wish list for a long time, so I am genuinely excited that we can make it happen now.
“Last year, I successfully obtained my DMSB Permit Nordschleife and participated in NLS9, which we won. That experience is invaluable, as we have gained a lot of knowledge that we can apply to our plans this year with NLS2 and the 24-hour race.
“We have a strong team with Dani, Jules, and Lucas, along with excellent support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Now, it is essential to focus on the right preparations before the events to maximize our performance in the races.”
While Verstappen has long aspired to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours, his choice to take part in this year’s event aligns with his recent critiques of F1’s new regulations.
The Red Bull driver has described the new rules as “anti-racing” and, following Sunday’s season opener in Australia, called on F1 to heed drivers’ concerns and reconsider the regulations.
Verstappen has indicated that he may leave F1 if he no longer finds enjoyment in it, and during preseason testing, he mentioned seeking opportunities outside the series, such as the Nurburgring 24 Hours, to find joy in driving.
“I am certainly looking into other activities outside of Formula 1 for enjoyment, but I understand that we are bound by this regulation for some time,” he remarked.
Source: espn.com
