‘I know myself’ – Private Max Verstappen admission emerges after Nürburgring change of plan

Max Verstappen revealed he originally intended to start the Nürburgring 24 Hours, but changed plans after admitting he would be tempted to "fight everyone" in the early laps. The four-time F1 champion instead let teammate Daniel Juncadella take the start, showcasing a rare moment of self-restraint.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's decision highlights his growing maturity and strategic thinking beyond Formula 1. In a 24-hour endurance race, a single aggressive move can ruin the entire team's effort. His willingness to step back and let a more experienced endurance driver handle the chaotic first lap demonstrates a team-first mentality that contrasts with his usual fierce on-track persona.

The details:

• Juncadella revealed the private conversation after qualifying: Verstappen said, "I know myself... I'm going to want to fight everyone. You'd better start instead."
• Verstappen took over after the first hour and drove a strong double stint, helping the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 build a lead before a driveshaft issue dropped them to 38th.
• Teammate Jules Gounon gave Verstappen the nickname "Maxipedia" for his encyclopedic motorsport knowledge, and called his seamless adaptation to GT racing "something pretty special."
• Verstappen had been disqualified from an NLS race in March and lost time to repairs on his next visit, adding context to his caution.

The big picture:

Verstappen's Nürburgring outing showed he can compete at a high level in GT racing while also knowing when to hold back. As he continues to explore endurance racing, this self-awareness could make him an even more valuable teammate in future events.