Max Verstappen Outraged by Drivers’ Doubts on Nurburgring Record

Max Verstappen found himself at the center of debate last week after reports surfaced that he had broken the Nürburgring Nordschleife GT3 lap record while testing a Ferrari 296 GT3. The news, announced from Imola on Thursday, quickly sparked reactions from drivers across multiple racing series.

Many, including World Endurance Championship veteran Laurens Vanthoor and DTM driver Maro Engel, questioned whether Verstappen was running the car within the official Balance of Performance (BoP) specifications used in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). For more details on how BoP works in endurance racing, you can refer to the FIA’s official regulations.

Vanthoor took to social media, expressing doubt about media headlines and asking for concrete proof. Engel pointed to what he described as “a few facts,” suggesting Verstappen’s Ferrari may have benefitted from lighter weight, lower ride height, and more engine power than allowed in official NLS events.

These suggestions led Verstappen to respond directly on Twitter, calling Engel’s claim false and insisting the car was set up correctly for the event. Engel replied that the rumors must have been incorrect, acknowledging Verstappen’s clarification.

Speaking at Imola after the controversy flared online, Verstappen admitted Engel’s comments had offended him, especially as he knows Engel personally and respects drivers in the GT3 paddock. Verstappen stressed that he had arrived at the Nordschleife for fun and to learn, not to attack others’ achievements.

He stated that such remarks normally wouldn’t affect him, but the connection made it sting. Verstappen explained that he had only intended to get laps under his belt on the challenging circuit and was taken aback by the intensity of the reaction to his lap times.

The official Nürburgring NLS GT3 lap record is 7:49.578, set by Christian Krognes in a BMW M4 GT3 in November 2022. Verstappen reportedly beat that time, with some witnesses describing an outside-overpass at Hatzenbach corner as “almost hard to believe” given the supposed BoP specification. For more context on the Nürburgring’s history and records, check out the Nürburgring’s official site.

David Perel, who also drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 that day, shared his belief that Verstappen would be a strong competitor but added that his top speed and power appeared impressive during their stint together on track.

Verstappen’s Ferrari was prepared by Emil Frey Racing, bearing the branding of Verstappen.com Racing. Jurg Flach, the team’s technical director, confirmed the car was run with the exact BoP settings required for an NLS weekend, with around 60 to 70 kilograms of fuel on board—consistent with normal practice.

The morning session saw Verstappen deliver especially quick laps; traffic reportedly slowed him in the afternoon.

Although Verstappen had never previously driven the Nürburgring Nordschleife in real life, he stated he had logged thousands of laps in a simulator before heading out for the real thing. He quickly adapted, referencing some differences in track surface grip and the moved barriers. This rapid adaptation echoes his ongoing focus on mastering the circuit, as detailed in his recent focus on F1 and Nürburgring.

Verstappen previously tested with the Emil Frey squad at Mugello in 2023, where he also impressed the team with his rapid adaptation.

Looking ahead, Verstappen has ambitions to race in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. However, current permit rules require that drivers complete at least two clean NLS races in lower classes before moving up to GT3. For more information on the Nürburgring 24 Hours regulations, visit the VLN official page.

Special exceptions are rare, with motorcycle star Valentino Rossi denied similar privileges in 2023. Verstappen has not ruled out the possibility of returning as “Franz Hermann” to earn his eligibility with two NLS starts.

Questions about the specifics of Verstappen’s unofficial lap record will likely continue until he competes under official NLS race conditions. Those familiar with Verstappen expect that opportunity will come, as the reigning Formula 1 champion remains dedicated to proving his ability not just in F1 but across motorsport. This dedication aligns with recent discussions about his future beyond F1, as seen in coverage about his Red Bull future.