Max Verstappen does not show any signs of stopping and continues to achieve his top speed in the Ferrari 296 GT3 on the Nürburgring, with which he sets an unprecedented track record here
The legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, nicknamed De Groene Hell, has crowned a new king. Max Verstappen, the four-fold Formula 1 world champion from the Netherlands, has set a track record in the GT3 class during a spectacular test round in the Ferrari 296 GT3 that makes the hearts of motorsport fans beat faster. With a time that is two seconds faster than the previous record of 7: 49.578, located by the Norwegian driver Christian Krognes, Verstappen shows that his talent is not limited to the royal class of motorsport. This news, which is sagging today after a period of speculation, underlines the unstoppable drive of the 27-year-old driver to push boundaries, even outside the Formula 1 calendar.
The story begins a few months ago, in May of this year, when Verstappen Incognito appeared on the German circuit. Under the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’ – a nod to his German test location – he climbed behind the wheel of the bright red Ferrari 296 GT3 of the Swiss team Emil Frey Racing. The test was intended as a low-key session, but soon rumors spread like a running fire among the fans. Verstappen, who normally controls the Red Bull RB21 in F1, consciously opted for anonymity to avoid the crowds. “They asked me for a false name, so I thought: let’s make it as German as possible,” he later joked during a press conference in Imola. But his iconic helmet soon betrayed him, and videos of his rounds went viral on social media.
The Nordschleife is not a circuit for amateurs. With its 20.8 kilometers of length, 73 turns and a height difference of more than 300 meters, it is a test for people and machine. Verstappen, who had covered thousands of virtual kilometers on the track in his simulator, arrived with a wealth of preparation. “I already knew the line out of my head, but the real work is in the sense of grip and the car,” he said. Although the Ferrari was coordinated according to the Balance of Performance rules-which limit the ability to guarantee honesty-he clocked a time of around 7:47. In a session without official timing, with a full tank and even in traffic, he easily surpassed the record. Helmut Marko, the Stoic adviser of Red Bull, leaned back steeply when he heard the results. “Two seconds faster? That is Verstappen,” he responded in an interview with Racingnews365.
This performance is no coincidence, but fits perfectly in a wider pattern from Verstappen’s hunger to speed. The driver from Hasselt, who is third this season in the F1 championship after six races, has always had a passion for other disciplines. Last year he already tested GT3 equipment, and he has hinted several times for a future outside of Formula 1. “This is my private time, my passion,” he emphasized in Baku, in anticipation of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The test with Emil Frey was partly a support to his pupil, 22-year-old Thierry Vermeulen, who suits the same team. But it soon became clear that Verstappen stole the show himself. Experts such as Misha Charoudin, a Nürburgring veteran, praised his adjustment speed. “He drove like someone born here, with a precision that you rarely see at newcomers.”
Yet the road to this record was not without bumps. In order to officially racing on the Nordschleife, Verstappen had to comply with the strict rules of the DMSB, the German motor sport federation. As a ‘Platinum’ driver-a status that he owes to his F1 success-he could follow a faster license route, but that required a debut in a less powerful GT4 car. Last week, on September 13, he made his entrance as Rookie in a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS of the Lionspeed GP team. Despite the ‘super step’ machine, as he described it himself, he enjoyed the experience. “I drove in the rain, practiced in dry, started and learned the flag rules. Rules are rules, and everyone was helpful.” That session earned him the necessary permit A, with which he can now use the Ferrari 296 GT3 in official races.
The Climax is approaching: On 27 September the ADAC Barbarossapreis is on the program, a four-hour race in the Nürburgring Langstrecken series (NLS). Verstappen will officially take office in the GT3 class for the first time, with the aim of validating his record in a competitive setting. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Red Bull has given green light for this trip, as long as it does not hinder its F1 obligations. Fans are already speculating about a possible participation in the legendary 24 hours of the Nürburgring next year. “I want to do that in the future,” said Verstappen. “That’s why I build experience.” But he temperes expectations: “I am not there to break records for the show. It’s about pleasure and learning.”
This episode also sheds light on the wider attraction of Verstappen. At a time when F1 drivers are increasingly focusing on diversification, he positions himself as a versatile champion. His test with Ferrari – a brand that he normally competes – shows his openness for cooperation. Emil Frey Racing, which also uses the 296 GT3 in the DTM, benefits from the exposure. “Max not only brings speed, but also professionalism,” said team boss Frederic Vervisch. Critics wonder if this distracts this from his F1 focus, especially with McLaren and Ferrari who are fighting fiercely this season. But Verstappen dismisses that: “I don’t stop winning, wherever I drive.”
While the world is looking forward to his debut race, one thing remains for sure: Max Verstappen does not show any signs of delay. On the Nürburgring, where legends such as Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart left their mark, he adds a new chapter to his illustrious career. Whether it is in a Red Bull, Ferrari or Porsche, his top speed remains unparalleled. De Groene Hell has found a new demon – and it comes from the Netherlands.
