George Russell revealed feelings of envy towards Max Verstappen’s opportunity to compete in racing categories beyond Formula 1, as the Mercedes driver observed Verstappen’s impressive GT3 win at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Verstappen’s debut victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) demonstrated his versatility and racing skill outside the F1 environment.
Verstappen’s Dominant GT3 Debut at Nürburgring
Max Verstappen partnered with Chris Lulham to race the Ferrari 296 GT3, which bore a distinctive Red Bull livery, in Round 9 of the NLS endurance series. Starting from third position after a strong qualifying session, Verstappen took the lead before the first turn on the opening lap. Over his stint, he extended the gap to the chasing field to more than a minute, showcasing his commanding pace. Although Lulham was not as fast, he skillfully maintained the lead during his time behind the wheel, ultimately securing victory for Emil Frey Racing.
Russell Reflects on Verstappen’s Freedom Beyond F1
Ahead of the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, George Russell openly expressed admiration and a tinge of envy over Verstappen’s ability to drive in other racing formats. Speaking to Formule1.nl, Russell stated,
“It is secretly enviable that he has that freedom to drive in other racing classes in addition to Formula 1. We don’t really have that right yet, but he certainly does after four world titles. I have a lot of respect for it, and would like to do it one day,” George Russell, Mercedes driver
Currently, active Formula 1 drivers rarely compete outside their championship due to the demanding F1 calendar, which features 24 races annually. Additionally, many teams include contractual clauses that restrict drivers from participating in other motorsport events, mainly to reduce injury risk and fulfill sponsorship obligations during the offseason.
Verstappen Eyes Nürburgring 24 Hours After GT3 Success
Following his victorious NLS outing, Verstappen revealed his ambition to tackle the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours race. He indicated that gaining more experience in the NLS series is essential before attempting the endurance event. Reflecting on his debut race, Verstappen commented via F1,
“After qualifying, I knew the car would be good on a dry track. Everything went well in terms of traffic, and we didn’t make any big mistakes. To win my debut race here is amazing,” Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing driver
Regarding his future plans in endurance racing, the Dutchman added,
“Of course, we really want to race the 24-hour race here at the Nordschleife. If that’s going to be next year, I don’t know yet. We need more experience, so hopefully we can enter a few more NLS races next year,” Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing driver
Verstappen’s Momentum Heading Into Singapore F1 Grand Prix
Max Verstappen approaches the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix after consecutive wins at Monza and Baku, continuing his strong championship form. Notably, the Marina Bay Street Circuit remains the only current Formula 1 venue where he has yet to secure a victory, setting the stage for a potentially significant breakthrough in his season.
George Russell’s remarks highlight a growing recognition of Verstappen’s unique racing versatility, which extends beyond F1 and could inspire changes in how drivers approach their careers and off-season opportunities. For fans and teams alike, Verstappen’s expansion into endurance racing creates intrigue about how such multi-disciplinary experience might influence performance and driver development in the future.
