Verstappen Secures Nordschleife Permit After Impressive GT4 Race

Max Verstappen has successfully obtained his Nordschleife A permit, a crucial step enabling him to compete in the GT3 class and fulfill his long-standing ambition of participating in next year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The four-time Formula 1 world champion achieved this milestone following a strong performance in a GT4 race at the iconic track.

Why it matters:

This permit opens up new avenues for Verstappen in endurance racing, allowing him to expand his competitive horizons beyond Formula 1. It also highlights the growing interest of top F1 drivers in renowned GT events, potentially attracting more star power to these challenging races.

The details:

• Verstappen's primary goal at the Nordschleife weekend was to secure the A permit, necessary for GT3 participation with the Emily Frey Racing team's Ferrari 296.
• He completed the required mileage by competing in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS, bearing the Verstappen.com livery.
• The Dutchman handed over to Chris Lulham for the final stint of the four-hour race, finishing seventh overall.
• His performance in qualifying was particularly notable; he set the fastest time in his CUP 3 (G) category, even surpassing several ProAM cars despite his own vehicle's 130-horsepower restriction and additional weight. He qualified sixth in his category and 27th overall.
• Initial rumors questioning whether he would obtain the license, due to technical issues preventing him from completing the mandatory 14 laps in two different cars, were ultimately debunked by the permit's approval.

What's next:

Verstappen is now set to compete in the GT3 class with Emily Frey Racing in just two weeks. His ultimate goal remains the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next year, an event he has openly expressed his desire to conquer.