Max Verstappen has given his verdict on his recent Nurburgring Nordschleife outing, admitting that “rules are rules” having been required to race a de-tuned GT4 Porsche Cayman on his debut in order to gain the relevant licence.
Fresh off the back of his Italian Grand Prix victory, the four-time World Champion visited the infamous Nordschleife circuit in Germany last weekend, where he tackled the 100-plus corners during a four-hour ADAC ACAS Cup event in order to gain a Permit A.
This licence will now allow the Dutchman to race faster GT3 machinery, with an entry in Emil Frey Racing’s Ferrari 296 expected in the next four-hour event – the ADAC Barbarossapreis – on September 27.
“My passion is to also do these kind of races. I knew that taking my licence needed to be done in a certain way and I have to say that they were all very helpful and supportive when I got there. But rules are rules and I get that,” said Verstappen during Thursday’s media day ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“The down-tuned car was quite interesting to drive but honestly, very good collaboration. I got to do it in one race where sometimes you need to do it in two. They gave the option to do it in two different cars, so they were very thoughtful, helpful. Supportive as well because for them I think it was great to see.
“I enjoyed it, even though the car was super slow I still had a very useful day because I managed to drive in the wet, I managed to drive in the dry afterwards, do a start, getting to know all the flag rules because they are a little bit different to F1.
“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive around the Nordschleife, it’s always going to be fun when you push it.”
Verstappen has already previously driven Emil Frey’s Ferrari GT3 during a test session at the Nordschleife, where under the pseudonym of ‘Franz Hermann’, he unofficially broke the GT3 lap record.
Verstappen’s ultimate goal is likely to shift towards the Nurburgring 24 Hours next season, which will be held on May 15-17 and does not clash with any Formula 1 events.
“I like racing in general also outside of F1. I knew that if I wanted to get my permit I needed to do that race and we just went about, it was all organised very well, they were all very helpful as well from the organisation side,” he added.
“Every lap that you do around there is a different kind of experience so for me it was still very useful even though people say the car is down-tuned and it must be very boring. Of course the car is not the most exciting to drive but I look at it in a different way.
“You try to then focus on other things that might be useful in the future when you go there with a proper car. I had fun, it’s a nice environment to be in, a bit different to F1.”