Max Verstappen delivered a notable performance at the Nurburgring on Saturday, showcasing his world championship caliber in his first outing in the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS). Driving the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport for Lionspeed GP, Verstappen completed his debut race under challenging conditions while demonstrating strong pace and control.
The Dutch driver competed in the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup’s CUP3 class, finishing seventh overall and securing the top spot among drivers using Permit B vehicles. Because he raced within a special class reserved for drivers without a full GT3 license (Permit A), Verstappen’s Porsche was restricted to 300 horsepower, down from the car’s standard 425 hp, placing it in Category B. Qualifying sixth on Saturday morning, he began the race cautiously, completing 14 clean and incident-free laps while gradually moving through the field.
Challenges faced during the race and pit stop strategy
Verstappen’s race was not without difficulties, as he was forced to take evasive action at the start to avoid contact, and later encountered minor braking issues that required an unscheduled pit stop. Despite this setback, he returned to the track shortly after, maintaining a competitive pace throughout his stint.
After finishing his 14 laps, Verstappen handed the car over to his teammate Chris Lulham. Soon after the driver change, heavy rain struck the circuit, complicating the race further. Lulham spent several tense moments on slick tires before making a strategic pit stop to switch to wet-weather rubber, handling the conditions to bring the car home in seventh place in the CUP3 category.
Permit requirements and final race details
Though Verstappen completed the necessary 14 laps in car No. 980, regulations required that Permit A drivers prove their eligibility across two vehicles. To satisfy this, Verstappen exited the pit lane in Lionspeed GP’s sister car, No. 89, just before the Falken Motorsports duo, Julien Andlauer and Joel Sturm, claimed the overall race victory. This move fulfilled regulatory conditions for Verstappen’s participation and classification.
The significance of Verstappen’s Nurburgring run
Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring performance illustrates his versatility beyond Formula 1, adapting quickly to endurance racing and managing the demands of a different motorsport environment. Successfully navigating technical issues and weather changes while meeting licensing regulations highlights his professionalism and skill. This outing may pave the way for further endurance race participations, broadening Verstappen’s racing portfolio outside his established F1 career.
