Bhubaneshwar — Max Verstappen is set to race at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife after acquiring the required license on Friday. With the Formula 1 circuit off this weekend, Red Bull has cleared the four-time world champion to make his debut in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). The world’s top race car driver, Verstappen, still had to undergo a course and pass a theory exam to qualify to compete in the seventh round of the 10-race NLS season. After completing both, Verstappen is scheduled to compete in a four-hour race on Saturday, driving a Porsche GT4 Cayman in the Verstappen.com Racing x Red Bull livery. He will be joined by Chris Lulham, a 22-year-old British driver.
Why is the Nürburgring Nordschleife famous?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is widely considered the most iconic and demanding race track in the world, earning it the nickname “Green Hell.” The track is a 20.8-kilometer circuit winding through the Eifel forest in Germany, featuring over 150 corners, dramatic elevation changes, and a tight, historic layout. Its combination of length, technical complexity, and unforgiving nature makes it a unique and formidable challenge for even the most experienced drivers, and a dream for those looking to test their skill and bravery.
The Path to a ‘Permit A’
Verstappen’s participation is part of a larger ambition. While he set an unofficial lap record during a test run on the Nordschleife in May, he does not yet hold the specialized DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund) Permit Nordschleife “Permit A” required to compete officially in the prestigious GT3 class. The permit system, implemented in 2015, was designed to ensure drivers gain experience on the demanding circuit in slower cars before moving to more powerful ones.
To obtain the “Permit A,” Verstappen needs to complete at least 14 laps and at least 20 percent of a race to collect two classified race results. Both results can be obtained in a single race, which is why he is expected to complete the full four-hour event. His ultimate goal is to one day compete in the Nürburgring’s annual 24-hour race.
A Desire to Compete
Verstappen has been vocal about his desire to compete in endurance races at iconic circuits around the world. “Racing is not just my profession, but also my hobby,” he said on his official website. He explained that the Nordschleife is at the top of his list of tracks he wants to race on because it’s “extremely challenging and demanding, with its enormous length and tight historic layout.” “I can’t wait!” he added. His weekend debut marks a significant step towards fulfilling his ambition to compete on one of the world’s most legendary racing circuits.
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