Max Verstappen embraces the danger of the Nordschleife

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is back at the Nürburgring Nordschleife for the 24‑Hours of Nürburgring qualifiers, and he says the track’s infamous danger is part of the fun. “I’m aware I could have a bad crash there, but I’m not afraid – I actually like it,” Verstappen told ESPN. The Dutch champion says the thrill of the Nordschleife puts a smile on his face and fuels his love of racing.

Why it matters:

• The Nordschleife’s narrow layout and virtually no run‑off zones make it a benchmark for driver bravery and car safety.
• Verstappen’s open‑hearted attitude influences fans and younger drivers, shaping the narrative around risk and enjoyment in motorsport.
• Safety discussions often focus on F1 circuits; his comments remind the broader racing community that danger exists across many series.

The details:

• Verstappen is participating in the qualifying sessions for the 24‑Hour race, his second outing at the track after a disqualification in a four‑hour event earlier this year.
• He highlighted the track’s evolution, noting modern safety improvements compared with the 1970s, when Niki Lauda’s crash prompted F1 to drop the Nordschleife from the calendar.
• “Every time I jump out of the car, I’m happy. That’s what I am after – to have fun,” he said, emphasizing the emotional payoff of tackling a challenging circuit.
• Verstappen also compared the Nordschleife to other risky venues, naming Suzuka as another example where “you can crash anywhere.”

What's next:

• The 24‑Hours of Nürburgring starts on Saturday; Verstappen will line up for the qualifying session and aim for a clean run despite the track’s reputation.
• Organisers continue to evaluate safety barriers and medical response times, balancing the historic character of the Nordschleife with modern protection standards.
• If Verstappen enjoys the experience as he claims, his presence could draw more top‑level drivers to the event, raising its profile and prompting further safety upgrades.