Verstappen set for first official Nordschleife race

Max Verstappen will finally tick off one of his long-time ambitions this weekend – competing at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife.

As reported by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport and confirmed by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion will contest the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) on Saturday, September 13.

Before taking part, the 27-year-old Red Bull driver must complete the same licensing process as any entrant. On Friday he is scheduled for classroom work and track training, before joining the race in a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS run by Lionspeed GP rather than in a Ferrari GT3.

Provided Verstappen logs at least 14 incident-free laps across two cars, he will earn the sought-after “Nordschleife permit”, the certification required to compete in GT3 machines on the 25km circuit known as the Green Hell.

The effort follows Verstappen’s high-profile private test earlier this year in a Ferrari 296 GT3, when he set an unofficial lap record while using the alias “Franz Hermann” under his Verstappen.com Racing banner.

This time, he will compete under his own licence, and with Red Bull’s blessing. According to paddock insiders, the target is another outing just two weeks later, after the Azerbaijan GP, with Emil Frey Racing in the September 27 NLS round.

In the longer view, Verstappen is said to be eyeing a future tilt at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, the ultimate endurance race at the daunting German venue. Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has already given the plan his backing, describing the extracurricular project as an important source of motivation for the Dutchman away from Formula 1.