Debut triumph for Verstappen and Lulham in the NLS at the Nordschleife
Max Verstappen marked his competitive GT debut with a commanding victory at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, sharing the #31 Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 with Chris Lulham in the NLS Series. Starting third, Verstappen swept into the lead at Turn 1 and controlled the opening half of the four-hour race, building a cushion of around 62 seconds before handing over to Lulham, who managed the gap to the flag despite late slow zones to win by roughly 20 seconds.
"Fahrer des Tages" and a viral podium moment
In recognition of his dominant stint and seamless adaptation to GT3 machinery, Verstappen was named "Fahrer des Tages" (Driver of the Day) by event organisers and stadium announcers. The celebrations also delivered a lighter moment: the four-time F1 champion briefly battled with his podium bottle, with footage of the champagne struggle quickly going viral among fans.
Why it matters
- A significant step in Verstappen's stated ambition to contest the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
- Showcased racecraft beyond F1, underlining adaptability across categories.
- Strengthened momentum following recent back-to-back F1 wins.
Race snapshot
- Car: #31 Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3
- Team-mate: Chris Lulham
- Qualifying: P3
- Race: Lead seized at Turn 1; Verstappen led first two hours
- Result: Comfortable win after Lulham's closing stint
- Award: "Fahrer des Tages" (Driver of the Day)
The outing reinforces Verstappen's multi-discipline ambitions and keeps the door open for future endurance appearances as his schedule allows.
