Max Verstappen will compete at the Nürburgring later this month, taking part in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) round on September 27. The Dutch Formula 1 champion is expected to drive a Ferrari 296 GT3, marking a notable crossover from his usual F1 commitments to endurance racing at this iconic track.
This appearance fits into a rare break in the Formula 1 calendar, situated between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, allowing Verstappen to broaden his motorsport experience. His preparation included securing the exclusive DMSB Permit Nordschleife license required to race GT3 cars on the demanding Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen’s Licensing and Debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife
To compete on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a GT3 vehicle, Verstappen first had to earn his special permit. Early in September, he obtained category B DMSB licensing by passing both theoretical and driving tests. On September 13, Verstappen participated in NLS7, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS for Verstappen.com Racing in collaboration with Red Bull.
Sharing the car with British driver Chris Lulham, Verstappen completed laps under race conditions to qualify for an upgrade to the coveted category A license. Despite being his first competitive experience on the 20.8 km Nordschleife, Verstappen posted a commendable lap time of 10:21.591 in wet qualifying conditions, even with the Porsche’s power limited to 300 bhp instead of the usual 425 bhp. His effort placed him sixth among all Porsche Caymans on the grid.
Race Performance and License Achievement at NLS7
During the four-hour race, Verstappen completed two well-managed stints of seven laps each, navigating the complex multi-class traffic and performing pit stops efficiently. He improved his lap times in increasingly drying track conditions, achieving a personal best of 9:01.410. After handing over the car to Lulham, the team finished 27th overall after 24 laps, a respectable result given the circumstances.
More importantly, Verstappen successfully met the requirements to upgrade to an A license, unlocking the ability to compete in more prestigious GT3 events at the Nürburgring. Reflecting on his experience, he said,
“I’m happy it all went smooth, and I got my DMSB Permit Nordschleife… I’ve gained experience in where the grip is and isn’t and completed a start procedure. It was really good to gain more experience on this circuit…. To contest a 24-hour race here, in a GT3 car, would be amazing.” — Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Driver
From Porsche Track Debut to Ferrari GT3 Campaign with Emil Frey Racing
Verstappen is familiar with Ferrari GT3 machinery, having previously tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing in May under the pseudonym Franz Hermann. With his licensing now complete, Verstappen is expected to officially join the Swiss Emil Frey Racing team for the upcoming NLS round, stepping up to this competitive GT3 car for the first time in a race setting.
This engagement highlights Verstappen’s widening passion for motorsport disciplines beyond Formula 1. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is notorious for its technical difficulty, and moving from a Porsche Cayman GT4 to the more powerful Ferrari 296 GT3 represents a substantial challenge, but also an exciting opportunity for the four-time world champion.
Upcoming Nürburgring Appearance Amid F1 Calendar Break
Following his recent victory at Monza, Verstappen’s next Formula 1 race will be the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 21, with Singapore scheduled for October 5. The interval between these Grands Prix allows Verstappen to participate in the NLS event at the Nürburgring on September 27 without conflicting with his F1 schedule.
This venture embodies Verstappen’s ambition to improve his endurance racing skills and prepare for one of the sport’s toughest challenges: the Nürburgring 24 Hours. His involvement not only adds star power to the NLS series but also signals a potential long-term commitment to endurance racing alongside his Formula 1 career.
