F1 Stars React to Max Verstappen's GT3 Win, What's Next?

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen's recent victory in his first GT3 race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife has sent ripples through the motorsport world. While his dominance seemed effortless, seasoned GT stars acknowledge that the full challenge of endurance racing is yet to come, and Verstappen himself recognizes this.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's foray into GT3 racing is a major draw for endurance series promoters and fans alike. His participation elevates the profile of these events and provides a unique benchmark for current GT drivers. It also hints at a broader ambition for Verstappen, mirroring the multi-disciplinary pursuits of F1 legends like Fernando Alonso, and could signal a significant shift in his post-F1 career trajectory.

The Details:

• Rival Reactions: Fellow GT drivers, including Fabio Scherer (who finished second) and Kévin Estre, expressed excitement and respect for Verstappen's performance. Scherer even took a selfie with the F1 champion, highlighting the surreal experience of battling him.
• No Special Treatment: Drivers like Frédéric Makowiecki and Estre praised the DMSB (German Motorsport Federation) for not granting Verstappen any special privileges during his permit process. This commitment to standard procedures, despite his F1 status, earned him respect within the community.
  • Estre questioned the necessity of passing his permit in an underpowered Porsche Cayman GT4, but acknowledged the Nordschleife's unique rules and the importance of adhering to them, similar to the mandatory simulator and lap requirements at Le Mans.
• Welcomed Challenge: Raffaele Marciello, a Nürburgring winner, views Verstappen's presence as a positive challenge. He believes that performing well against a driver of Verstappen's caliber validates the talent within the GT racing world.
• The 'Verstappen Effect': While ticket sales didn't break records, Verstappen's races (NLS7 and NLS9) significantly boosted livestream viewership, garnering global exposure for the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), even in countries previously uninterested. His Porsche Cayman GT4 race drew approximately 20 million views.
• VLN Sport's View: Mike Jäger, managing director of VLN Sport, expressed gratitude for the international attention Verstappen brought and was personally impressed by his performance. He believes Verstappen's experience in the Cayman GT4 was beneficial and hopes for his continued participation.

The Hardest Part Still to Come:

• Different Competition: Kévin Estre notes that the NLS field Verstappen competed against was not comparable to the Nürburgring 24 Hours. While acknowledging Verstappen's undeniable speed and sim-racing experience on the Nordschleife, he points out the inherent differences and dangers of the real circuit, particularly with varied car speeds and traffic.
• Team-up with Pros: Estre believes that for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen would need to be paired with established GT3 specialists, such as Alessandro Pier Guidi. He anticipates Verstappen would be quick but not by a margin of five seconds over top professionals.
• Endurance Challenge: The Nürburgring 24 Hours presents a far greater challenge, involving higher stakes, a longer race week, driver fatigue, tougher rivals, and the demanding night-time racing.

Following Alonso's Example:

• Shared Ambition: Verstappen's interest in endurance racing mirrors Fernando Alonso's multi-disciplinary pursuits in 2018, including the Daytona 24 Hours and WEC. Both drivers share an 'old-school' racing spirit reminiscent of 1970s F1 drivers who competed across various disciplines.
• Enjoying Endurance: Verstappen's genuine smile on the Nürburgring podium suggests he shares Alonso's enjoyment of endurance racing, particularly the camaraderie within a team, as Alonso highlighted after his WEC victories.
• Meticulous Preparation: Alonso's meticulous preparation and humility, even learning the LMP1 steering wheel better than his teammates, serves as a blueprint for Verstappen's future endeavors. Verstappen will need to embrace learning from more experienced teammates to succeed.
• Future Goals: While IndyCar doesn't appeal to him, Verstappen has expressed desires to race at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Sebring 12 Hours, and Daytona 24 Hours—all events where Alonso has found success. With Ford entering WEC in 2027, a year after its F1 partnership with Red Bull begins, a potential future path for Verstappen seems to be emerging.