Racing champion Max Verstappen secures his Nürburgring license, yet concerns arise over potential deceleration in the Formula 1 season 2026.
Max Verstappen Makes Nürburgring Debut in NLS Race
Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, made his debut in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) on Saturday, marking his first step towards his ultimate dream of participating in the iconic 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
The Dutch racer, who finds driving in a race with different classes challenging, participated in a four-hour race with a performance-reduced Porsche Cayman GT4. Verstappen received a permit to drive Nürburgring races with GT3 cars, and he was instructed by Nürburgring instructor Andreas Gülden on the track on Friday.
Despite the car's reduced performance, Verstappen stated that he still learned a lot from the experience. The race, which took place on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, saw Verstappen complete 14 laps during the race and the entire training course on Friday.
Verstappen's engagement at the Nürburgring was supported by Red Bull, with motorsport consultant Dr. Helmut Marko expressing his approval for the GT3 start. However, the exact timing and frequency of Verstappen's GT3 appearances on the Nordschleife are yet to be determined.
The next four-hour NLS race is scheduled for September 27, and it does not overlap with any F1 races. However, with Verstappen's primary focus being Formula 1, balancing his commitments with potential GT3 starts, especially with the new regulation in 2026, will be a challenge.
The 2026 rules will play a significant role in determining Verstappen's participation in the 24-Hour race at the Nürburgring. The start for the 24-Hours race is not yet set for 2026, but Verstappen expressed his interest in participating.
Verstappen avoided having his name on the starting list at the previous NLS race to limit fan demand. Despite the rainy qualifying and a dry race during the event, Verstappen found the experience rewarding, and his dream of starting in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring remains unwavering.
Verstappen sees himself primarily as a Formula 1 driver and wants to win Formula 1 races (and titles). However, the allure of the Nürburgring's 24-hour race is too strong to ignore, and Verstappen is determined to conquer this legendary track. The path to his dream may not be clear yet, but with his talent and determination, it seems only a matter of time before Verstappen takes on the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.
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