Max Verstappen Set for SP9 Debut at Nürburgring Endurance Championship
Nürburgring, Germany – Emil Frey Racing is poised to debut a Ferrari 296 GT3 featuring Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen in the ninth round of the Nürburgring Endurance Championship (NLS9) this Saturday. The team confirmed that Verstappen will partner with Chris Lulham for the four-hour endurance race on the iconic Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen, who recently obtained his ‘Ring Permit, has previously tested the Ferrari under the pseudonym Franz Hermann. This event marks the Dutchman’s first competitive outing in a GT3 car at the Nürburgring, an experience he describes as a passion project.
“I can hardly wait. Every lap on the Nordschleife is a unique experience. It’s my hobby to drive in categories other than Formula 1. My dream is to compete in the 24-hour race here one day,” said Verstappen.
Lulham, a regular driver for Emil Frey and a protégé of the Verstappen.com Racing program, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s eagerness to learn from their debut. “The car felt fantastic during testing. The weather may pose challenges, but I’m ready to tackle it with Max,” he stated.
This announcement follows recent remarks from Red Bull Racing’s Helmut Marko, confirming that Verstappen is also cleared to participate in the prestigious 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours. As interest in this weekend’s race builds, expectations are high for the combination of Verstappen’s skill and the performance potential of the Ferrari 296 GT3.
