MAX VERSTAPPEN TO MAKE GT3 DEBUT AT THE NURBURGRING
Max Verstappen is officially beginning his racing journey on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, taking a major step toward competing in endurance events on one of the world’s most demanding circuits. Fresh off the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, he will head straight to the Eifel region of Germany to participate in a race weekend as part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), formerly known as VLN. This marks the start of the formal permit process required to compete on the Nordschleife in higher-category race cars like GT3s.
The weekend will begin on Friday, September 12, when he will undergo the mandatory driver training necessary to obtain the Nordschleife Permit A. This training includes both a theoretical exam and practical on-track sessions in a lower-powered car, designed to familiarize drivers with the unique characteristics, hazards, and etiquette of the Nordschleife. Verstappen is expected to complete this first step in a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, likely fielded by the Lionspeed GP team, an outfit experienced in guiding professional drivers through the permit system.
On Saturday, September 13, Verstappen will participate in an official NLS race in the same Cayman GT4, gaining his first real racing experience on the Nordschleife under competitive conditions. This race is not only essential for his licensing but also a critical opportunity for him to adapt to the rhythm, traffic, and complex layout of the 25-kilometer circuit in a live environment. Although he’s a four-time Formula 1 world champion, the Nordschleife presents an entirely different set of challenges, especially in multi-class endurance racing.
Then, just two weeks later, on September 27, Verstappen plans to return to the Nordschleife to race in a Ferrari 296 GT3 with the Emil Frey Racing team. This will mark his competitive debut in a GT3 car at the Nürburgring and is a significant step up from the Cayman. He had previously tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 on the Nordschleife in a private session back in May 2025, where he secretly ran under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann” to avoid attracting media and fan attention. During that test, he reportedly set an unofficial GT3 lap record, although he later clarified that this was not his goal and that the experience was more about getting a feel for the car and the track.
Unlike that earlier test, Verstappen will now be competing under his real name, as the Nordschleife permit process requires full transparency for licensing purposes. This official step signals his serious interest in endurance racing beyond Formula 1. Verstappen has repeatedly expressed his desire to take part in events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, and this structured entry into the NLS series is a concrete move toward that goal.
All of this highlights Verstappen’s growing passion for motorsport outside the world of F1. Despite dominating Formula 1 in recent years, he continues to look for new challenges and experiences, and the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with its treacherous corners, unpredictable weather, and high driver demands, offers exactly that. His presence in the NLS series will not only bring added attention to the championship but also underscores how even the best in the world must start from square one when it comes to mastering the “Green Hell.”
Source: AMUS
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