Max Verstappen celebrated a remarkable GT3 victory in his debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, competing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie alongside British teammate Chris Lulham. The four-time Formula 1 champion dominated the race, taking the lead early and maintaining a commanding gap throughout the event. This achievement coincided with his return to form in Formula 1 after recent wins in Italy and Azerbaijan, reinforcing his competitive momentum in the championship fight.
Five-Time Nürburgring Winner Timo Bernhard Reacts Emotionally
Veteran racer Timo Bernhard, a five-time winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, expressed heartfelt admiration for Verstappen’s performance while watching the 6 Hours of Fuji broadcast. Bernhard praised Verstappen’s ability to master the notoriously challenging Nordschleife circuit and highlighted the significance of a Formula 1 star venturing into endurance racing.
Hats off to Max Verstappen to tackle the Nordschleife, and I like this,
Bernhard said.
These are great race car drivers, and they like to experience other things. And endurance racing, it has so much to offer. So you see, I’m emotional, it’s great racing, I love it.
He also acknowledged Verstappen’s racing talent and respect for the circuit:
Nordschleife is something special, and he really honours the place also, that’s something I cherish, I like.
Race Details and Verstappen’s Commanding Lead
Starting from third position on the grid, Verstappen immediately surged ahead before the first turn and steadily increased his advantage over the field. At one point, he led by as much as a minute, showcasing his exceptional skill in handling the complex Nürburgring track for his first GT3 race. His teammate Chris Lulham’s support helped ensure a strong team performance in this endurance event.
Verstappen’s Reflections After Back-to-Back Wins
Following his victory in Baku, Verstappen expressed excitement over his recent successes, including his Nürburgring GT3 triumph and consecutive Formula 1 wins. He emphasized how well the car performed on different tyre compounds during the Baku race and noted the challenges posed by windy conditions.
I think this weekend has been incredible for us,
Verstappen remarked.
Of course, last [F1] weekend was already great, but for us to win here again is just fantastic. I think also in the race, the car was working really well on both of the compounds [of tyre]. We had clean air all of the time and then you could look after your tyres and it was pretty straightforward.
Of course, it’s not easy around here. It was very windy today, so the car was always moving around a lot, but of course, I’m incredibly happy with this performance.
Impact of Verstappen’s Achievement on Motorsport
Max Verstappen’s GT3 victory at the Nürburgring not only highlights his versatility as a driver but also bridges the gap between Formula 1 and endurance racing disciplines. His success is inspiring to fellow race car drivers like Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, and Mark Webber, who have also ventured into endurance formats. The win adds to Verstappen’s growing legacy and promises to increase interest in multi-discipline racing challenges moving forward.
5x Nürburgring 24 hour winner and outright Nordschleife lap record holder Timo Bernhard describes Max Verstappen's dive into endurance racing as something that makes him 'emotional'. pic.twitter.com/B1ddEOPxz7
— Drayton (@DraytonKnowles) September 28, 2025
