F1 drivers eye Nordschleife: Norris, Antonelli, Russell share Verstappen's GT ambitions

Max Verstappen is set to take on the Nürburgring 24 Hours this weekend, driving a Winward Mercedes GT3. The event has drawn attention from several F1 colleagues, who admit they're watching with envy — and plotting their own visits to the legendary Nordschleife.

Why it matters:

The Nordschleife remains a bucket-list destination for most racing drivers, and seeing Verstappen compete there is fueling interest among active F1 stars. Their comments suggest we may see more top-level drivers entering the GT endurance scene in the coming years.

The details:

• Lando Norris visited the Nordschleife a few weeks ago during a tyre test, calling it "the most fun I've had all year." He added, "It's one of those tracks that everyone just wants to drive." Norris says he'll be watching Verstappen's race closely.
• Oliver Bearman said he "will definitely be tuning in," while George Russell has asked Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for a shot at the all-time lap record in an F1 car — a request that remains unfulfilled for now.
• Kimi Antonelli appears closest to actually racing there. He previously drove a Mercedes GT3 through his father's team and hinted at already seeking a Nordschleife A-permit. "I would love to do an endurance race with Max together," he said earlier this year.

What's next:

Verstappen shares the Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Lucas Auer. The race starts Saturday at 3pm, with live streams available on YouTube. If Antonelli's plans materialize, a future Verstappen-Antonelli GT pairing could be one of the most talked-about stories in endurance racing.