Max Verstappen is scheduled to make his official Nürburgring GT3 debut this Saturday, September 27, driving Emil Frey Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3 during the ADAC Barbarossapreis. This marks a significant step as Verstappen transitions to competing on the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife, also known as the Green Hell.
Verstappen Advances to Ferrari 296 GT3 with Emil Frey Racing
Following his victory at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, Max Verstappen began the licensing process to compete at the Nürburgring. To qualify for the top-level GT3 category, he first demonstrated his driving skills in slower machinery by racing a detuned GT4 Porsche Cayman during the ADAC ACAS Cup, a four-hour endurance event. Successfully mastering this challenge, he earned the required Permit A license, allowing him to handle faster GT3 vehicles on the circuit’s demanding layout.
With this permit secured, Verstappen will now step into the Ferrari 296 GT3 fielded by Emil Frey Racing, a Swiss-based team known for its consistent participation in GT3 competitions. The Ferrari 296 GT3, featuring a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, has established itself as a formidable competitor in international endurance racing series. This pairing brings heightened attention to the ADAC Barbarossapreis event, combining Verstappen’s star power with the proven capability of the Prancing Horse.
The confirmation was shared by a Verstappen-focused account on X, stating,
and it’s confirmed! this Saturday, Max Verstappen will make his official debut in the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nürburgring.
— Verstappen News
The announcement has generated considerable excitement within the motorsport community, with fans eager to observe how Verstappen adapts from Formula 1’s highly specialized hybrid cars to the heavier, less aerodynamically dependent GT3 machinery. This crossover raises speculation about the possibility of Verstappen participating in other endurance racing classics in the future, such as the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Facing the Challenges of the Nordschleife’s “Green Hell”
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, commonly called the Green Hell, is renowned for its complexity and difficulty. The 20.832-kilometer circuit features 73 corners and continuous elevation changes, demanding immense skill and precision from drivers. Although Verstappen has achieved remarkable success in Formula 1, where circuits are more controlled and cars are highly specialized, the Nordschleife poses new challenges requiring adaptability and endurance-style racing techniques.
Verstappen’s appearance on this legendary track represents more than a simple racing event; it offers an opportunity to expand his experience beyond Formula 1 and showcase his versatility as a driver. His performance here could signal the beginning of a broader racing career that includes endurance events, which test not only speed but also consistency and resilience over extended periods.
The motorsport world will be closely watching how Verstappen handles the transition as he takes on the Green Hell in the Ferrari 296 GT3. This highly anticipated debut promises to bring excitement and could mark the start of a new chapter in his racing journey.
and its confirmed! this saturday, max verstappen will make his official debut in the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the nürburgring.
🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/bzVUkOlhfh
— Verstappen News (@verstappenews) September 24, 2025
