F1 Champion Verstappen Expected to Debut at Nürburgring Endurance Series

Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 world champion, is set to make his racing debut at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) this weekend. To compete, Verstappen must first obtain a special Nordschleife license by completing a theory session and racing in a lower-performance Porsche Cayman GT4 CS, after which he aims to race a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Emil Frey Racing. His participation highlights his passion for motorsport beyond F1, with previous test laps at the circuit under the alias 'Franz Hermann' and an unofficial lap record set earlier this year. The NLS features multi-class endurance races, and Verstappen will initially compete in the SP7 GT4 class before potentially advancing to the top-tier GT3 category. Red Bull racing advisor Helmut Marko emphasized that this endurance racing venture serves as an important motivation and mental break for Verstappen amid the intense F1 calendar. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is known for its difficulty and danger, underscoring the significance of Verstappen's licensing and debut in this historic endurance series.