Kickstarting a career at Red Bull
Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has shown his dedication to racing by attending driving school to obtain his Nordschleife license for the 24-hour race next year at the Nürburgring. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, such as Red Bull's upcoming season with a self-developed power unit, Verstappen remains committed to the Red Bull family. He values the team and enjoys working with them, a sentiment that is evident in his long-term contract with the team, which extends until 2028. Verstappen's humility was on display during driving school, according to fellow driver Gabriel Bortoleto. 'His humility was evident,' Bortoleto commented. 'Even during driving school, he followed an instructor to learn the ideal line for the Nordschleife.' The rules for obtaining a Nordschleife license are strict, even for a four-time Formula 1 world champion like Verstappen. He completed a theory session and a GT4 race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife weekend from September 12 to 14, 2024, as a prerequisite to race in GT3 events on the track. However, the race was not without its difficulties. Verstappen lost many positions at the start due to his Porsche having heavily restricted engine performance and 150 kilograms of extra luggage. Despite this, Verstappen found enjoyment in the experience, a testament to his love for racing. The possibility of Verstappen joining Ferrari is hard to imagine unless Ferrari becomes a championship-winning team again. Verstappen has made it clear that Ferrari, along with Mercedes and McLaren, were not preferred choices. This year, Red Bull has faced personnel changes and sporting struggles. Notably, Christian Horner, who was team principal since 2005, has been dismissed from the team. However, Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull remains unwavering. Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2015 and has since won 66 Grand Prix victories and four world championships. His participation in the 24-hour race next year at the Nürburgring is important to him, a testament to his passion for racing and his commitment to the Red Bull team.
