FIA safety car veteran warns Verstappen ahead of Nurburgring 24 Hours debut

Max Verstappen is set for his first-ever 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring next month, and FIA safety car driver Bernd Mayländer—a former winner of the event—has offered crucial advice on surviving the grueling 'Green Hell'. Mayländer emphasizes that success hinges on discipline, patience, and avoiding unnecessary risks over pure speed.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation brings unprecedented global attention to the iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours, bridging the worlds of Formula 1 and endurance racing. As a reigning F1 champion, his performance and approach will be scrutinized, while Mayländer's warnings highlight the unique and brutal challenges of a race where even the fastest drivers can be undone by impatience or bad luck.

The details:

In an exclusive interview, Mayländer, who won the race in 2000 after several attempts, outlined the key lessons for Verstappen:

• Discipline over speed: The core advice is to prioritize finishing over leading every lap. "If you know the car is good and the speed is there, think about that finish flag. Don't risk too much," Mayländer stated.
• Manage traffic and track limits: He identified traffic management as the biggest lesson, warning against pushing too hard on the inside of corners. "The most important thing: stay on the track," he emphasized.
• Heed team instructions: Mayländer recalled having to restrain an over-aggressive teammate during his winning year, underscoring that cooperation with the team is paramount in a marathon event.
• Beware of unpredictability: The Nürburgring Nordschleife is notorious for sudden weather changes and "Code 60" slow zones, where drivers can easily incur penalties.
• Handle the spotlight: Mayländer noted that the spotlight will be firmly on Verstappen, creating its own form of pressure throughout the 24-hour event.

What's next:

Verstappen will first tackle the official qualifying race on the Nordschleife this weekend (April 18-19) as a final preparation. The main 24-hour race is scheduled for May 16-17, sandwiched between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix. All eyes will be on whether the F1 champion can apply Mayländer's hard-earned wisdom to conquer one of motorsport's most demanding challenges.