Max Verstappen will take part in the upcoming NLS7 four-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring this weekend to secure the specific license he requires to compete on the track’s Nordschleife layout. The Dutch four-time World Champion is driving a Porsche GT4 Cayman alongside his Team Redline teammate, Chris Lulham, aiming to earn the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB) Permit Nordschleife.
This permit is necessary for Verstappen to race GT3 cars on the famous “Green Hell,” currently the highest category permitted on the challenging German circuit. Obtaining this license is a key step towards his goal of competing regularly at the Nurburgring and in endurance racing events beyond his ongoing Formula 1 career.
Verstappen’s Ambitions Include Endurance Racing and Nurburgring 24 Hours
Verstappen has made no secret of his desire to participate in the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring, a demanding endurance race held annually at the Nordschleife. His recent presence in a Red Bull-themed Porsche in the pit lane confirmed his commitment to this pursuit, with the license acting as a required credential to compete at this level.
“Racing is not just my profession, but also my hobby,”
Verstappen said on his official website.
“This weekend I am at the Nordschleife with the goal to qualify for the mandatory race permit needed to race here in a GT3 car, which I would love.”
Earlier Experience and Lap Record at Nordschleife Under Alias
Earlier in the year, Verstappen drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Emil Frey Racing at the Nordschleife, registered under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann.” During that outing, he reportedly set an unofficial lap record for GT3 cars, impressing fans and insiders alike with his speed and skill on this historic circuit.
Discussing his approach at that time, Verstappen explained,
“For me, I’m not there to show that I can break a lap record or whatever record. I was just having fun and learning the track together with the team as well, Emil Frey.”
He noted that endurance racing is a shared ambition:
“For them also, the dream is to do 24 hours there. So we just had a good time getting up to speed.”
Preparation and Simulator Practice for the Nordschleife
Verstappen has dedicated significant simulator time to mastering the Nordschleife’s complex and lengthy layout, which features 154 corners. Familiarity with the track’s intricate turns gives him an advantage in real-world conditions, where variables like tarmac changes and grip levels come into play.
He reflected on this, stating,
“I’ve done thousands of laps around there, so for me, when I got there in real life, it was more knowing the grid level, the new tarmac in places, and then the grip level of the car.”
“Of course, a few barriers here and there… The most important [thing] is that you know exactly where you’re going, and that I knew already,”
Verstappen added, emphasizing the importance of track knowledge to tackle the notoriously demanding circuit safely and confidently.
Significance of Verstappen’s Nurburgring License Endeavor
Max Verstappen’s effort to secure the DMSB Permit Nordschleife highlights his commitment to expanding his racing portfolio beyond Formula 1. His pursuit underscores the appeal of the Nurburgring’s legendary status among drivers and fans, and his entry into GT3 races could bring fresh attention to endurance racing disciplines.
If Verstappen successfully acquires the license, his participation in future Nurburgring events—including the 24 Hours race—could influence the sport’s growing crossover between top-tier open-wheel drivers and endurance motorsport. The outcome of this weekend’s race will be closely watched by the racing community, eager to see how the four-time World Champion adapts to this rigorous challenge outside F1.
