The Formula 1 World Champion has created something new – Max Verstappen, the current Formula 1 world champion, has been extending his competitive horizons beyond the Grand Prix calendar. Following his dominant performance at Monza on 7 September 2025, where he secured his third victory of the season, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the Dutchman discreetly participated in another motorsport discipline that has long held his fascination.
He travelled to the Eifel Mountains and made his debut in the Nürburgring Endurance Series, completing 14 laps of the challenging Nordschleife circuit in a Porsche Cayman.
This was not a publicity stunt, but a necessary step. To compete in the legendary 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, drivers must obtain the ‘Nordschleife driving licence’, formally known as the DMSB Permit Nordschleife Category A — even a four-time Formula 1 world champion is not exempt from this regulation. Eager to prove his commitment, Verstappen took the opportunity to clock his first racing kilometres on the circuit and begin the official process towards qualifying for the 24-hour event.
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The Nürburgring goal
Verstappen’s ambition is not a vague dream, but a defined target. The Red Bull driver has set his sights on competing in the 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, which is scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 May.
If he lines up on the grid, he will be the first Formula 1 world champion to compete in Germany’s most prestigious endurance race. Television broadcaster NITRO has already secured the rights to the event and promises significant coverage of what could be a landmark entry.
This information did not come from rumour, but from one of the most authoritative voices in the Red Bull camp. In an exclusive interview with RTL, ntv and sport.de, Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s long-standing motorsport advisor and a close confidant of Verstappen, stated that Verstappen’s participation is more than mere speculation. When asked directly whether he had given the Dutch driver his blessing, Marko was emphatic in his reply: “Yes!”
Marko’s endorsement
Marko elaborated on the reasoning behind the move. He explained that the prospect of Verstappen racing at the Nordschleife between the Miami and Montreal Grands Prix in 2026 no longer feels unusual. “It’s great that a Formula 1 driver with a variety of commitments, such as simulator work and marketing and PR appointments, still finds the time for something like this with such enthusiasm,” he said.
The Austrian could not resist taking a jab at the bureaucracy involved. ‘And then there’s this German procedure where a four-time world champion has to prove he can drive around the Ring in a 240-horsepower Porsche — it’s unique. But he took all of that on himself, even though he’s probably already done 1,000 laps of the Nürburgring in a simulator. So he wasn’t unprepared.”
This remark highlights the respect and amusement with which Verstappen’s pursuit of the Nordschleife licence has been met. Despite the apparent mismatch between the modest Porsche Cayman and the 1,000-horsepower Red Bull RB21, the Dutchman approached the challenge without complaint.
Why the Nordschleife?
The fascination with the Nordschleife, often referred to as the ‘Green Hell’, is deeply ingrained in racing culture. For Verstappen, the allure of the 25-kilometre circuit is particularly strong. Marko recalled how, in years when Red Bull machinery was less competitive, Verstappen would immerse himself in simulator laps of the Nürburgring. ‘The Nürburgring and the Nordschleife are, of course, something that fascinates every racer. During the time when our car wasn’t competitive, it was his great passion. Now both are working. I’m sure he’ll compete, and he’ll be prepared enough to challenge for the overall victory.”
This comment provides a revealing insight. Verstappen’s participation would not be merely for the sake of it, but with the aim of achieving the best possible result. For a competitor of his intensity, taking part is never enough. The 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with its challenging mix of weather, traffic and fatigue, presents a different type of challenge to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is precisely this difference that seems to draw Verstappen to the race.
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Endurance racing in context
The Formula 1 calendar is becoming increasingly congested, with 24 races scheduled for 2026. The fact that Verstappen is seeking additional commitments underlines his appetite for racing in its purest sense. Few current Formula 1 drivers have ventured into endurance racing during their careers, especially while competing for world championships.
Endurance events demand adaptability. Cars are shared between multiple drivers, so adjustments to the setup and driving style are necessary. Elements such as night driving, changeable weather and lapping slower traffic are all absent from Formula 1. Verstappen’s willingness to embrace these factors suggests a genuine curiosity and respect for the sport.
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Le Mans ruled out
One obvious question was whether Verstappen’s foray into endurance racing might extend to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Marko was unequivocal in his answer: ‘Le Mans is not on the programme. Le Mans is a different story. The speed differences and the different categories are even greater there. For now, it’s endurance racing only at the Nürburgring!”
This statement puts an end to any speculation, at least in the short term. While Verstappen’s interest in Le Mans has previously been noted, the Red Bull camp appears determined to manage his extracurricular racing commitments carefully. The Nordschleife, though demanding, is considered a manageable challenge within the constraints of a Formula 1 schedule.
Balancing commitments
The wider implication of Verstappen’s ambition to race at the Nürburgring is how it affects the balance between Formula 1 and a driver’s broader career. Marko emphasised how unusual it is for a driver who is so active in simulator sessions, marketing, and sponsor obligations to devote energy to another demanding form of motorsport. Yet Verstappen appears to thrive on this variety.
Meanwhile, the endurance community will no doubt welcome the attention that a driver of Verstappen’s stature will bring. His participation would elevate the global profile of the event and set a precedent for others. For fans of the Nordschleife, the prospect of a reigning Formula 1 champion competing in the 24 Hours is tantalising.
A rare crossover
There has been a rich history of crossover between Formula 1 and endurance racing, but much of it belongs to earlier decades. In recent years, the increasing specialisation of motorsport has limited such moves. Verstappen’s Nürburgring project therefore represents something unusual in the modern era: an echo of a time when drivers moved more freely between disciplines.
If he does compete in May 2026, it will not be a mere guest appearance. His competitive instincts and Red Bull’s support suggest that he will be aiming for victory rather than making a token effort. The fact that Marko himself has publicly confirmed the plan is evidence of the initiative’s seriousness.
As with all ambitious projects, much remains to be finalised. The specific car, team and co-drivers that Verstappen will partner with have yet to be revealed. These decisions will determine how competitive he can be. However, the groundwork has been laid and the first step — his debut in the Cayman — has been completed.
For Verstappen, the Nordschleife is more than just another track. It is a proving ground whose mythology matches the intensity of his racing spirit. Conquering it in the ultimate endurance event would add another dimension to a career already rich in achievement.
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