The go-ahead has been formally granted for Max Verstappen to participate in GT3 races at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, a development that brings him closer to realizing a long-held ambition.
Verstappen competed in a Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 CS during the ADAC ACAS Cup’s four-hour event the previous weekend. The vehicle’s power was reduced because the four-time world champion had not yet obtained Permit A, which is essential for operating high-performance GT3 or GT4 vehicles.
Due to damage sustained by one of the two cars planned for his use in acquiring the permit in a single race, Verstappen initially did not entirely satisfy the requirements for earning the DMSB Permit A. However, the relevant authority examined the circumstances and ultimately opted to award Verstappen the permission regardless.
This decision paves the way for Verstappen to pursue his subsequent objective: progressing to GT3 cars and contending for victories in the Nurburgring endurance series. The inaugural opportunity for this endeavor will arise during the break between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grand Prix races. The NLS will host the ADAC Barbarossapreis, the ninth and second-to-last event of the 2025 season, on September 27, which will also last four hours.
Verstappen is anticipated to feature on the entry list, potentially driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 for the Swiss team Emil Frey Racing, which is the same vehicle and team he utilized in the well-known “Franz Hermann” test back in May.
“Nurburgring 24 Hours would be amazing”
Verstappen’s Nordschleife pursuits are primarily motivated by his ambition to participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hours, the circuit’s premier event. The schedules of both F1 and NLS are conveniently aligned for him once more, with the 2026 edition of the race slated for May 15–17, during F1’s three-week interval between the Miami and Canada races.
#980 Lionspeed GP, Porsche Cayman GT4 – Max Verstappen
Photo by: Jan Brucke/VLN
Verstappen had opportunities to participate in GT3 events in other places without the need for a special permit. However, it is clear why the 27-year-old, who has completed countless simulated laps of the course through platforms like iRacing, is fascinated by the Green Hell. Having become accustomed to F1’s FIA Grade 1 circuits, Verstappen has consistently voiced his support for conventional road courses as opposed to what he sees as lackluster street circuits.
During the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola last year, he commented, “It’s a spectacular circuit. I wish our schedule included 24 such venues. Many of the tracks we visit lack excitement. We still have a few old-school tracks on the calendar, which is what initially attracted me to racing and F1.”
There are few circuits more old-fashioned than the 20-kilometer Nordschleife, which features turns, elevation variations, and thrilling corner combinations, all nestled within the Eiffel forests and with only a few runoff zones.
“I’m happy it all went smooth, and I got my DMSB Permit Nordschleife. I really enjoyed myself, but that’s always the case around here,” he remarked on Saturday. “It was good to drive stints in the race with traffic, both with faster and slower cars. There was also a ‘code 60’ race neutralisation, double waved yellows and a standard yellow flag. I drove in the wet, the dry and in mixed conditions. I’ve gained experience in where the grip is and isn’t and completed a start procedure. It was really good to gain more experience on this circuit.
“The track surface also differs around the circuit, which makes it difficult to string a lap together, but it’s also what makes it special. To contest a 24-hour race here, in a GT3 car, would be amazing.”
Le Mans 24 Hours with his own team?
It seems Verstappen could achieve his goal as early as the following year, but he is already planning for the future as he embarks on his initial steps into team ownership.
#33 Verstappen.com Racing / 2 Seas Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Harry King, Chris Lulham, Thierry Vermeulen
Photo by: Eric Le Galliot
This year, Verstappen.com Racing is participating in the GT World Challenge Europe, entering an Aston Martin AMR GT3 Evo driven by Harry King, Chris Lulham, and Thierry Vermeulen and managed by 2 Seas Motorsport. Vermeulen, the son of Verstappen’s manager, also drives a Verstappen.com-sponsored Ferrari in the DTM, managed by Emil Frey Racing.
Lulham’s participation stems from Verstappen’s commitment to creating opportunities for accomplished sim racers to enter real-world racing. Lulham is a member of Team Redline, the same online racing team that Verstappen represents. As a virtual winner of the official Le Mans and Nurburgring 24-hour races, the 22-year-old Briton is on pace to secure the Gold Cup class title in the GT World Challenge Europe, alongside Vermeulen.
“The first step is our own GT3 team and then we’ll see where we end up. It would be nice to be able to grow to the highest level in endurance racing,” Verstappen commented regarding his ambitions as a team owner.
“If I do something, I want to do it right. I want to win with this as well. And it’s about creating a stepping stone from sim racing to GT3, so that you don’t have to only go through karting to get into motorsports, because that costs a lot of money at the moment.”
The pinnacle of endurance racing would involve vying for a spot in the Le Mans 24 Hours, which has started employing GT3 vehicles recently. However, the precise timeframe for the Dutchman’s participation in the Circuit de la Sarthe remains unknown, as it will likely depend on when he ends his F1 career.
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
