13/09/2025 11:40
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has hailed Max Verstappen for not
seeking "special treatment" ahead of his debut in GT racing at the
Nurburgring Nordschleife. The Austrian claimed it was "another
thing that sets him apart" from his competition, following
Verstappen dutifully complying with each requirement in need of
satisfaction to race at the famed circuit, without exception and
despite being a four-time F1 drivers' champion. There have been
calls for the Red Bull driver to be granted an exemption, given his
experience and how decorated his career has been, but the
27-year-old has been more than happy to jump through whichever
hoops are necessary , according to Marko. After successfully
passing his so-called 'driving test' and theory exam on Friday,
Verstappen was handed his category B licence, which allows him to
compete in a Porsche Cayman car. He will participate in a four-hour
race on Saturday, with a second planned for Sunday, making up the
two required races to obtain his Category A permit. However, a
panel can award him one if he impresses enough during the first
race. That would allow him to drive his Ferrari 296 GT3 car on
Sunday. Marko feels it is "terrible bureaucracy", but was
nonetheless effusive in his praise of how Verstappen has approached
the steps required. "Despite the terrible bureaucracy at the
Nürburgring, he's extremely positive and goes along with
everything," the 82-year-old told F1-Insider . "He doesn't seek
special treatment on his own. That's another thing that sets him
apart." Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher was one of the dissenting
voices. The Sky Sports Germany pundit shared his feelings with
F1-Insider as well. "The so-called wild cards exist in other
sports, too," the ex-Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said. "Max
is currently the best racing driver in the world. "So you can
certainly trust him to be able to master the Nordschleife even
without special driving school. Especially since he has already
proven that in previous test drives, which the Nurburgring has also
been keen to promote." Verstappen qualified for the first race (on
Saturday) in P27, a minute and seven seconds slower than the pole
time. However, he was 18 places and 25 seconds quicker than the
next-best competitor in his class.
