Max Verstappen takes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 for pure driving enjoyment
The Dutchman, four-time Formula 1 world champion, decided to obtain the license to race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a detuned Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the same car used by all rookies. Max is preparing for participation in the 24 Hours with a GT car, but his goal is to compete in endurance races purely for passion. A throwback to another era…
A Formula 1 driver spending a free weekend in a Gran Turismo car is already newsworthy, and when that driver is Max Verstappen, media attention is guaranteed. In today’s fast-paced world, where news is read, processed, and forgotten in a single day, it’s worth reflecting on the multiple meanings behind Verstappen’s presence at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the most iconic track in the world.
Seeing a top Formula 1 driver in scenarios outside the “circus” is rare. For many years, a large portion of drivers who manage to secure a spot in the most coveted paddock in the world disconnect from the outside world. Commitments are numerous, true, but Verstappen emphasizes that when there is a real desire to do something, time is ultimately found.
Several surprising aspects emerge from this story, starting with the protagonist himself, who is not only an active F1 driver but the undisputed number one. Verstappen is not chasing sensational results; if he wanted to drive a hypercar or an LMDh, he would only need to make a phone call. What drives him instead is the pure joy of driving, whether it’s a Formula 1 car or a GT3, an entry-level category in endurance racing.
He didn’t take shortcuts. On Friday and Saturday, he assumed the role of a student, taking a theoretical exam, with instructors explaining, as per procedure, the racing lines to follow. After completing the classroom session, Max completed 14 laps of the Nordschleife as part of the seventh round of the NLS7 championship, a series entirely held on the old Nürburgring.
The global Formula 1 superstar took to the track in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, detuned from 425 to 300 horsepower, as is customary for those competing in their first race on the Nordschleife, with a “Permit B” sticker on the rear—a beginner’s license of sorts.
After the race, he was automatically promoted to “Permit A,” the pass needed to race on the Nordschleife. “There is only one circuit like the Nordschleife,” Max said. “It’s a challenging track. On a lap this long, you can encounter wet sectors and dry sectors, but these difficulties are exactly what make this track so special. Racing here for 24 hours in a GT3 would be amazing.”
To prepare, Max will return to the Nürburgring the weekend after Baku. Verstappen’s plans go beyond the 24 Hours of Nürburgring; the project is broader and timeless, with the ultimate goal of participating in all the major endurance classics, from Le Mans to Daytona, without major commercial operations influencing his choices as a top-tier driver.
The first hurdle for Verstappen in shaping this program was getting Red Bull’s approval. No top F1 driver can compete in other categories; contracts are extremely strict, and without team authorization, even a kart race could cause disputes. This restriction was tightened further in 2011 after Robert Kubica’s accident during the Ronde di Andora rally.
The status Verstappen has earned at Red Bull is unique. He is granted freedoms that no other F1 driver could obtain, especially when it comes to racing in other categories during the season. Yet, few of his colleagues would likely be interested in driving a GT3, dedicating time to the preparation necessary to perform well.
Verstappen doesn’t do things halfway. If he faces a challenge, he wants to tackle it at the peak of his enormous abilities, fully aware of competing against specialists in categories unfamiliar to him. This is a fear that has often held back other F1 drivers from exploring different racing scenarios, worried about finishing behind names unknown to the general public. Not Verstappen—the challenge, especially against himself, is at the heart of everything he does, both in Formula 1 and beyond.
What was seen last weekend is the first chapter of an extraordinary story, placing the world’s most acclaimed driver in a motorsport often mistakenly considered “minor.” “I had a lot of fun, but on this track, I think it’s always like that,” he commented. “I completed stints in traffic with faster and slower cars, drove in the rain, on dry sections, and in intermediate conditions, learning where there is more or less grip. It was great to start getting familiar with this magnificent track.”
Verstappen’s message is powerful, challenging many common assumptions. Stories like this seemed part of a distant past. If just a few months ago someone had suggested such a scenario in the Formula 1 paddock, reactions would have been ironic: “Today, these things are unthinkable.” Max Verstappen proved that only he could make it happen.
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