The race director of the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Walter Hornung, issued a warning to Max Verstappen about the risks of the Nordschleife circuit before the driver’s debut in the traditional endurance race, scheduled for May.
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The four-time Formula 1 champion recently confirmed that he will participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hours, expanding his involvement with long-distance racing. The driver will share a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella in the race taking place between May 15 and 17.
Before the main event, Verstappen will still need to participate in a preparatory race at the circuit on March 21, a necessary step to complete the license requirements to compete on the track.
Hornung showed enthusiasm for the Dutch driver’s presence at the event: “It makes our entire team very proud,” he stated in an interview with the newspaper De Telegraaf. “It is very good for the Nurburgring name and for the entire Eifel region. I think it also shows that we did a good job last year.”
The official also praised Verstappen’s attitude in following all the procedures required to obtain a racing license on the iconic track of more than 20 km in length, without requesting any exception due to his Formula 1 background.
“The rules are the same for everyone and it is a credit to Verstappen that he did not ask for privileges and went through all the stages,” Hornung said.
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The director further explained that high-profile international drivers need to complete at least eight laps in a race without making mistakes to secure the necessary authorization: “The main thing is to know the track and know how to deal with faster and slower cars around you,” he said.
Verstappen already has some experience on the layout. In September last year, he competed in a four-hour race at the Nordschleife and won alongside Chris Lulham. Even so, Hornung highlighted that the 24-hour race represents a much greater challenge.
“He is certainly one of the favorites, but it would be an exaggeration to call him the main favorite at this point. Mercedes-AMG’s last victory was ten years ago. Max’s qualities are indisputable, but I don’t know what his experience is in driving at night,” he added.
The Nordschleife circuit, part of the Nurburgring complex, is known as one of the most challenging circuits in motorsport. The layout is fast, long and has few runoff areas, characteristics that increase the level of risk.
Therefore, Hornung stated that he intends to reinforce the message of caution to the drivers before the race: “I hope to have the chance to talk to him beforehand. Not to give tips, I am not in that position, but to greet him, welcome him and remind him, as well as all the drivers, that it is necessary to respect the ‘Green Hell’ and always keep in mind that motorsport can be dangerous,” he concluded.
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