Verstappen's Nurburgring instructor hopes for champion's return to the 'Ring
A schedule change for 2025 has removed a clash between the Nurburgring endurance series and the F1 calendar, boosting Max Verstappen's hopes of racing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. His former instructor at the circuit welcomes the potential return, stating it would be a major boost for the event and its global fanbase.
Max Verstappen's ambition to race in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring has received a significant boost from a schedule change, clearing a key conflict with his Formula 1 duties. His former Nordschleife instructor, Andreas Gulden, has publicly welcomed the possibility, highlighting the global attention the F1 champion would bring to the legendary circuit and its premier endurance event.
Why it matters:
Verstappen's participation would represent a major crossover moment, drawing the massive global audience of Formula 1 to the storied but niche world of Nordschleife endurance racing. For the Nurburgring, securing a current F1 world champion—especially one as dominant as Verstappen—for its flagship event is an unparalleled promotional opportunity that could revitalize interest and attract new fans worldwide.
The details:
- A key scheduling conflict has been resolved for 2025. The second round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) was moved forward by one weekend, meaning it no longer clashes with the Japanese Grand Prix on the F1 calendar.
- This change is crucial for Verstappen, who has stated he would want to compete in an NLS race as preparation before attempting the full 24-hour race.
- Andreas Gulden, who instructed Verstappen to obtain his mandatory DMSB Permit Nordschleife, is a central figure at the track and enthusiastically supports the idea. He stated his constant presence at the circuit and celebrated the efforts to bring Verstappen back.
- Gulden framed the potential appearance as beneficial for the race series, the Nurburgring itself, and fans globally, calling it "the best thing that could happen to the 24 Hours."
- He acknowledged the inconvenience the schedule change may have caused others with travel plans but expressed confidence that the value of Verstappen's participation justifies the disruption.
What's next:
The path is now clearer for Verstappen to build a 2025 program that could culminate in a debut at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. While his primary focus remains on winning a fifth Formula 1 world championship, his repeated expressions of desire to race at the Nordschleife, combined with this logistical hurdle being removed, make a 2025 attempt highly plausible. All eyes will now be on his 2025 racing schedule outside of F1 to see if he commits to the necessary NLS preparation races.