Verstappen Sets Controversial Nordschleife Lap Record in GT3 Testing
Imola, Italy — Max Verstappen’s recent lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife during a GT3 Ferrari test has ignited both astonishment and skepticism within the motorsport community. On Thursday, news emerged that the reigning Formula 1 champion had achieved a time significantly faster than the official NLS record of 7m49.578s, set by Christian Krognes in November 2022.
Technical Details and Controversy
Verstappen reportedly eclipsed the prior record nearly effortlessly, leading to questions about the validity of his setup. DTM racer Maro Engel raised concerns via social media about the Balance of Performance (BoP) settings Verstappen employed, suggesting potential advantages in weight, ride height, and power. Engel stated, “A few facts are missing,” highlighting the context of Verstappen’s performance.
Responding to the criticism, Verstappen tweeted, “False. Don’t spread things when you don’t know how the car was set up.” Engel later remarked that it seemed “paddock chat was incorrect."
Verstappen clarified at a press event, “I went there to have fun and just drive my laps.” The 25-year-old noted the unnecessary nature of the comments, adding, “Normally, such things wouldn’t bother me, but in Engel’s case, it did.”
Insights from the Test
Eyewitnesses reported astonishing maneuvers from Verstappen during the test, with one overtaking move at Hatzenbach described as “almost hard to believe.” His Ferrari 296 GT3, run by Emil Frey Racing (EFR), utilized the official NLS BoP, which Jurg Flach, EFR’s technical director, confirmed was applied precisely. Flach mentioned, "Verstappen’s morning pace was incredible," with traffic impeding his afternoon runs.
David Perel, another participant in the test, acknowledged Verstappen’s speed while noting, “He had plenty of power and top speed.”
Future Prospects
The implications of Verstappen’s record extend beyond mere bragging rights. He has expressed a keen interest in participating in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, stating, “I would like to do that in the future. That’s why I’m doing all these things to prepare a bit.” However, securing a permit from the DMSB, which typically requires completion of two flawless NLS races in lower classes, poses a challenge.
Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner reinforced that Verstappen’s main focus should remain on F1: “His priority has to be Formula 1.” Moreover, Verstappen confirmed his intention to stay with Red Bull beyond 2026, suggesting stability in his current commitment.
Conclusion
As debates continue regarding the legitimacy of Verstappen’s unofficial record, one thing remains clear: his drive and ambition in motorsport are undiminished. The motorsport world will be watching keenly as he prepares for future challenges on the storied Nordschleife.
