Verstappen to Race Nordschleife; Domenicali Clarifies F1 Race Length Comments

Max Verstappen is set to make a return to the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife after obtaining his DMSB permit, allowing him to compete in GT3 cars. Meanwhile, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali clarified his recent comments about potentially shortening Grand Prix races, emphasizing attractiveness for modern audiences rather than reduced distance. Alpine's Flavio Briatore also hinted at the team's 2026 driver lineup following Pierre Gasly's contract extension.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen's venture into endurance racing at the challenging Nordschleife showcases his versatility beyond Formula 1, adding another dimension to his career.
• Domenicali's clarification addresses concerns about the future format of F1 races, reassuring fans that race distances are not directly threatened while highlighting the sport's focus on engaging a modern audience.
• Briatore's remarks offer early insights into Alpine's strategic planning for its driver lineup, a crucial factor for team stability and competitiveness in the upcoming regulations era.

The Details: Verstappen's Nordschleife Return

• Max Verstappen competed in the 4 Hours of Nürburgring, finishing seventh in the Cup 3 class.
• This participation earned him the official DMSB permit required to race GT3 cars on the Nordschleife.
• He is eligible to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring as early as next year (May 14-17), a date that does not conflict with the F1 calendar.
• Rumors suggest an earlier return for a shorter event, possibly on September 27 or October 11.

The Details: Domenicali on F1 Race Length

• At the Italian Grand Prix, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali's comments about Grand Prix race distances sparked discussion among drivers.
• Drivers generally expressed little desire for shorter races.
• Domenicali clarified: "I never said we need to cut the distance of the race. What I’m saying is that the span of attention of the people today is very short, so we need to be attractive."
• His focus is on maintaining audience engagement, not reducing race length.

The Details: Alpine's 2026 Driver Speculation

• Pierre Gasly has signed a contract extension with Alpine, securing his seat for the 2026 season.
• The second driver's seat for the French team remains open.
• Alpine chief Flavio Briatore stated, "The team needs stability, and the possibility of keeping the same two drivers for next year is part of that stability. For now, we haven't decided yet, but normally, if you want stability, it means you have to keep both drivers."
• This suggests current driver Esteban Ocon could be retained alongside Gasly for continuity and team stability.