Max Verstappen celebrated his GT3 victory at the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie Nordschleife alongside his team-mate, British driver Chris Lulham, but the champion’s podium moment turned amusing. As Verstappen prepared for the traditional champagne spray, he struggled to open the bottle, creating a viral moment among fans following the four-time Formula 1 champion’s win.
Why Verstappen Struggled With the Champagne Bottle
Fans quickly noticed Verstappen’s difficulty despite his vast podium experience in Formula 1, where bottles are typically pre-opened before being handed to drivers. This difference caught him off guard at the Nordschleife, where drivers are responsible for removing the cage and cork themselves. One fan remarked,
“And you’d think he knows his way round a champagne bottle by now considering all the practice he’s had in F1,”
while another added,
“All that podium [sic] in F1, still having a hard time opening a champagne.”
A third comment humorously noted,
“GT3 you have to open bottle yourself hahaha only thing he wasn’t prepared for,”
and another joked,
“Max’s toughest opponent this entire weekend.”
Yet another said,
“He’s a rookie it’s his first win maybe he doesn’t know how to spray champagne yet.”
Victory Details and Race Performance at the Nürburgring
Verstappen marked an impressive debut in the GT3 series, starting third on the grid but quickly moving into the lead before Turn 1. He maintained his advantage before handing the car over to Lulham, who secured the win. Following them, the No. 9 Ford Mustang GT3 from Haupt Racing Team, driven by Dennis Fetzer, Jann Mardenborough, and Fabio Scherer, finished second. The No. 6 Ford Mustang GT3, driven by Vincent Kolb and Frank Stippler for the same team, took third place.
Reflecting on the achievement, Verstappen praised the car and race conditions, saying,
“During my first two stints, the car was amazing. 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.”
Looking Ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix and Championship Battle
After his victory at Nürburgring, Verstappen now prepares for the 18th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. Riding momentum from recent wins in Italy and Azerbaijan, he enters this round focused on reclaiming his position in the drivers’ championship fight. Verstappen faces strong competition from McLaren rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as the title race intensifies.
