Verstappen's 'Crushing' Nürburgring Win Prompts Bold 24-Hour Race Prediction

Max Verstappen's recent GT3 debut at the Nürburgring saw him dominate the competition, leading to a bold prediction that he could win the Nürburgring 24 Hours by a staggering 'one and a half laps' if he competes next year. This performance, marked by a significant lead, has ignited discussions about his potential in endurance racing.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's foray into GT3 racing and his immediate success highlight his exceptional driving talent beyond Formula 1. His potential participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours would not only draw massive attention to the iconic endurance race but also test his adaptability against a different class of elite drivers and machines, potentially reshaping perceptions of F1 drivers in other motorsport disciplines.

The details:

• Verstappen competed in his first GT3 race at the Nürburgring, driving the #31 Ferrari 296 GT3 with Chris Lulham as his teammate in round nine of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie season.
• The duo secured a 20-second victory, though Verstappen's two-hour stint saw their lead extend to 62 seconds before handing the car over to Lulham.
• Verstappen expressed his desire to compete in the 24-hour race, acknowledging the need for more experience and hoping to participate in more GT3 events next year.
• Dutch racing driver and pundit Jeroen Bleekemolen commented on Verstappen's performance, stating, "If he has a good line-up, do the math… He was one minute ahead after two hours of racing. Do the math, and you’re one and a half laps ahead of a 24-hour race."
• Verstappen's fastest lap was a 7:51.514, just two seconds shy of the NLS lap record of 7:49.578. Bleekemolen believes Verstappen would have broken the record without yellow flags.
• Bleekemolen further emphasized Verstappen's superior pace, noting he was consistently "three to four or even five seconds away from real Nordschleife toppers every lap, such as Frank Stippler, and also the Aston Martin with one of the real heroes who also holds the track record (Christian Krognes)."
• Five-time Nürburgring 24 Hours winner Timo Bernhard praised Verstappen's approach to the Nordschleife, calling it "emotional" and highlighting his respect for the circuit.

The big picture:

Verstappen's dominant GT3 debut underscores his versatility and raw speed, suggesting that his success isn't limited to the specific demands of Formula 1. His interest in endurance racing, a discipline that tests both driver skill and mechanical sympathy over extended periods, could see him follow in the footsteps of other F1 greats who have pursued diverse motorsport challenges.

What's next:

While Verstappen aims for more GT3 experience, his potential entry into the Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May between the Miami and Canadian F1 Grands Prix, would be a monumental event. If he fields a competitive team, his participation could elevate the profile of the race and provide a compelling narrative as he attempts to translate his F1 dominance into endurance racing success.