Alonso: Verstappen's Nürburgring 24 debut 'opens the eyes' of fans to other series

Fernando Alonso has endorsed Max Verstappen's recent Nürburgring 24 Hours debut, arguing that while Formula 1 remains the pinnacle, the presence of top drivers in other series helps fans "open their eyes" to the wider motorsport world. The two-time champion, who himself conquered Le Mans and challenged the Indy 500, noted that F1 represents only a tiny fraction of racing's full spectrum.

Why it matters:

As F1 grapples with criticism over its 2026 regulations and increasingly technical racing, drivers like Verstappen and Alonso are actively reminding the community that pure, wheel-to-wheel competition thrives outside the grand prix bubble. Their participation in events like the Nürburgring 24 Hours can draw massive new audiences to endurance racing, potentially reshaping the sport's global fanbase.

The big picture:

• Verstappen called his Nürburgring experience a reminder of "how pure motorsport can be" – a pointed contrast to his vocal dissatisfaction with F1's direction.
• Alonso recalled his own cross-series journey: leading the 2017 Indy 500 on debut before winning Le Mans twice during his F1 sabbatical.
• "Formula 1 is just one per cent of the whole motorsport environment," Alonso said. "The other series are just as magic as Formula 1 in a sense."

By the numbers:

• When Alonso first tested an IndyCar in 2017, onboard footage drew 2 million YouTube views in a single day – sparking a surge of European interest.
• At the time, only two European drivers competed in IndyCar. Now roughly 40% of the field is European (68% non-US), illustrating the lasting impact of F1 stars crossing over.

What's next:

• Alonso hopes more F1 drivers will follow Verstappen's lead, whether to the Nürburgring, Le Mans or other endurance events.
• Verstappen has already hinted at further outings after his heartbreak at the Nürburgring, suggesting the trend of F1 royalty exploring other disciplines will only grow.