Yesterday at 17:23
Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen will be allowed to
compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours after his special test outing.
The Red Bull driver competed in a Porsche Cayman last weekend after
the Italian GP to earn a licence to compete at the Nordschleife,
including in the showpiece 24-hour endurance race. Verstappen
earned his licence after initial confusion, with Red Bull
motorsport advisor Marko paving the way for the Dutchman to now
compete in next year's race, taking place between the Miami and
Canadian GPs in May. "Yes," Marko told Sport.De when asked if
Verstappen could compete in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours. "I think
it's great that a Formula 1 driver, who has many obligations in
addition to the races - simulator, marketing and PR dates - takes
the time for such a thing with a huge enthusiasm." Marko could not
resist a dig at the regulations which meant Verstappen was forced
to obtain a licence for the track, even as a four-time F1 champion.
"This German procedure, which a four-time world champion has to
prove that he can drive around the ring with a 240bhp Porsche, is
unique," he said. "But he took it all on himself, although he must
have already shot 1000 laps in the simulator around the
Nürburgring. So he didn't come unprepared." However, as for the
more famous Le Mans 24 Hours, Marko put a block on Verstappen
taking part in the twice-around-the-clock French endurance
classic. "Le Mans is not in the program. Le Mans is a different
story," he said. "The speed differences and the different
categories are even bigger. For the time being, long distance is
only the Nurburgring."
