P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen will make his GT3 race debut at the Nordschleife
Max Verstappen will be making his racing debut on the Nürburgring in a GT3 car this Saturday, just a week after his Formula 1 victory in Azerbaijan and two weeks after securing his DMSB Nordschleife Permit Grade A. He is set to drive the #31 Ferrari 296 GT3 alongside Chris Lulham of Team Redline.
Lulham, who earned his Permit Grade A at the same time as Verstappen, recently clinched the Gold Class title in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup finale at Valencia. Verstappen’s team-mate, Thierry Vermeulen, has a family connection as his father Raymond is the Dutchman’s manager.
With a growing fanbase following his previous appearance at NLS7, the Nürburgring is expected to attract a large audience for Verstappen’s GT3 debut this weekend. The question remains whether he will achieve a lap time similar to his impressive test in the Ferrari 296 GT3, this time with official verification from DMSB.
While Verstappen values Red Bull’s support for his GT endeavors, he remains focused on enjoying his racing experiences. The possibility of participating in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours has been hinted at, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressing approval.
Next year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours coincides with a break in the F1 calendar, offering Verstappen a potential opportunity to participate. His aspirations in both F1 and GT racing draw comparisons to Fernando Alonso’s double commitments in 2018.
