Four-time F1 champion, Max Verstappen is reportedly working toward securing a DMSB Nordschleife permit, following a recent GT3 test at the Nurburgring in a Ferrari 296 GT3.
The Dutchman, who initially tried to keep a low profile by racing under the name Franz Hermann, later posted about the test on social media.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the permit is a key requirement to race in events like the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie and the iconic 24 Hours of Nurburgring- one of the most gruelling endurance challenges in motorsports.
The ambition isn’t just casual interest, it’s backed by a growing motorsports ecosystem under the Verstappen.com Racing banner, including ties to DTM, GTWC Sprint and rallying with his father Jos Verstappen.
“It all started with Team Redline in sim racing,” he explained.
“With Verstappen.com Racing, we are sponsoring and supporting various racing activities from people close to me. We are also active in DTM and the GTWC Sprint with Thierry Vermeulen [son of Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen] and with my father in rallying, but the end goal is to put together our own race team.“
Max Verstappen has made no secret of his interest in competing across disciplines post-F1. And GT Racing has always been a part of that long-term vision.
“We will start in the GT3 class, and then we will see where the ship strands at some point. If it breaks…”
Max Verstappen puts F1 mentality into GT project
For Max Verstappen, it’s not just about showing up, it’s about winning. That same ultra-competitive edge we see in F1 is very much alive in his GT ambitions too.
“When I do something, I want to do it well. I want to win, even with this,” he claimed.
He’s also thinking about creating a more accessible pathway for future drivers, especially those from sim racing backgrounds.
“It’s about being able to create a stepping stone from sim racing to GT3. So you can not only end up in motorsport through karting, because that costs a lot of money at the moment.“
Verstappen sets a timeline on GT ambitions
Of course, building a team from the ground up takes the right people and infrastructure, something Verstappen is well aware of and is ready to take up.
“You never know how things will turn out, but ambitions are always there. Of course, it depends on how many good people we will have in the team and how much know-how there is, but it would be nice if we could grow to the highest level in endurance racing.“
While timelines are tight, Verstappen is optimistic about hitting the track competitively with his team this year.
“We are working on it at the moment. Next year [2024] will be tight, but I would like to have it as soon as possible. Having a GT3 team in 2025 with a minimum of two cars should be possible.
“We have been working on it for a while. The planning phase is over, we are in action mode now.”
