Why Formula 1 remains banned on the Nordschleife despite Max Verstappen’s GT3 success
Max Verstappen is currently experiencing the Nordschleife very intensively. He wins his first NLS race in GT3, but is subsequently disqualified. Nevertheless, the Nürburgring remains one of the next big goals for the three-time Formula 1 world champion, especially with a view to the 24-hour race.
Verstappen clearly explains why the 24-hour race appeals to him so much. “Because it’s one of the best races in the world. It’s one of the best tracks.” In a GT car, that is exactly the right pace for him. “In a GT car, that’s the perfect speed for me there. If you drive a bit faster, it can be a bit dangerous in some places.”
The Dutchman emphasizes how long he has been following the Green Hell. “I’ve been watching it for a long time, of course.” Many of his friends have already raced there. “They say it’s one of the best things ever.” His anticipation for the 24-hour debut and the duel with a “very strong starting field overall” is correspondingly high.
Red Bull said no to F1 on the Nordschleife – Vettel was allowed
It is worth noting that Verstappen was not allowed to do a demo lap in a Formula 1 car there. When asked whether he could imagine doing an F1 show lap, he replied: “That wasn’t allowed, otherwise I would have done it already.” When asked, he confirms curtly: “Yes.” The refusal contrasts with the history of other stars on the Nordschleife.
Sebastian Vettel drove demo laps in the Red Bull RB7 on the Nordschleife in 2023. David Coulthard was also there in a show car. Even Ralf Schumacher, who is rather skeptical about the Nordschleife, completed F1 laps in the BMW-Williams. Nick Heidfeld chased the Sauber-BMW around the Eifel years earlier.
In 2023, Red Bull expanded the event into a major show, which is one of the absolute highlights of the 24-hour race’s supporting program. The fans would certainly welcome a new edition.
For Verstappen, driving fun is not just a question of pure speed. “Not really, because then the fun here would still be very high, it’s the highest speed.” The environment appeals to him. “It’s just a different way of working with people. It’s also a slightly different environment in the paddock, I would say.”
Long distance more racing, less show
He describes the endurance racing world as “probably a bit more old-school, less political, which I probably like a bit more”. He can move more freely there. “I can probably be myself a bit more there.” Added to this is his general desire for big endurance races, also influenced by his father Jos Verstappen.
Verstappen makes it clear that the Nordschleife project was planned independently of his current F1 mood. “Of course, it was already planned, regardless of what I’m driving this year.” Nevertheless, he says openly: “I wish I was having a bit more fun here [Formula 1] at the moment.” At the same time, he praises his team for making these GT programs possible for him.
The Dutchman deliberately does not want to reduce himself to Formula 1. “I don’t just have to be a Formula 1 driver. I can also do other things.” He points to his track record. “I’ve been doing this for quite a while and I’ve achieved everything I wanted to achieve.” For him, now is the right time to try something new.
Verstappen wants to drive the big races
Verstappen is thinking about the entire range of big endurance races. “I want to drive these races, all the big endurance races.” He doesn’t want to wait. “I don’t want to do this when I’m 40 years old, so now is the perfect age for it.” The Nordschleife is the first real test of endurance in a real cockpit.
The race calendar could also expand his Nordschleife plans. When asked about possible gaps, Verstappen says: “If something happens with the calendar, I’ll see what’s possible.” Additional NLS stints, night driving, traffic and Code 60 phases are all more of an attraction than a risk for him right now.
This creates a contrast that suits his situation well. In Formula 1, Max Verstappen complains about a declining fun factor; on the Nordschleife, he finds an environment that he experiences as less political and more direct. However, the fact that he is not allowed to take to the track in an F1 Red Bull is a great pity, especially for the fans.