Max Verstappen Set for Nordschleife Race Debut This Weekend

Max Verstappen is set to make his official race debut on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend, participating in rounds 7 and 8 of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). This comes just a week after his Italian Grand Prix victory and marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation in a demanding endurance series outside F1 highlights his deep passion for racing and offers a unique opportunity to see him compete on one of the world's most challenging tracks. It also allows him to race under official conditions, addressing past debates about his unofficial lap record.

The details:

• Event: NLS rounds 7 (ADAC-ACAS Cup) and 8 (64th ADAC Reinoldus Endurance Race).
• Duration: Each race is four hours.
• Car (initial): Porsche Cayman GT4 CS (Lionspeed team) for a B Permit.
• Goal: Compete in a Ferrari 296 GT3 (Emil Frey Racing) for an A Permit, potentially via an "individual case assessment" or double start on Saturday.
• Funding: Red Bull GmbH (not Red Bull Racing) is covering the costs, reflecting Verstappen's contractual freedom to pursue other racing interests.
• Helmut Marko's view: Sees it as a "positive distraction" and not concerned about injury, emphasizing Verstappen's enthusiasm.

The permit challenge:

To race, Verstappen, despite being an F1 world champion, must obtain a DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN).

• He needs to attend a DMSB Academy course and pass an exam on Friday to secure an entry-level B Permit.
• For an A Permit (required for top NLS classes), he typically needs "at least two classified race results" covering "a minimum of 14 race laps."
• However, as an FIA Platinum-rated driver, a "double start" in the same race on Saturday could potentially suffice for the A Permit.

What's next:

Fans can follow Verstappen's Nordschleife debut this weekend on Motorsport.tv. His performance will offer a clear comparison against seasoned NLS veterans, under uniform Balance of Performance (BoP) rules, and he will compete under his real name.