GT World Speculates on Max Verstappen’s Mysterious Cornering Trick

Max Verstappen led comfortably in his GT debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife last weekend before a damage‑induced pit stop ended his chance at victory. He also displayed a puzzling cornering technique that kept him unusually close to rivals despite dirty‑air. Teammate Daniel Juncadella and GT veterans have offered competing explanations, but the method remains unconfirmed.

Why it matters:

• Demonstrates a Formula 1 champion’s ability to extract performance from GT cars, boosting his credibility with endurance teams.
• If verified, the technique could reshape how drivers manage dirty‑air in tightly‑packed endurance fields.

The details:

• Juncadella said Verstappen found a weak spot in the turbulent slipstream, letting him hug the car ahead without overheating front tyres.
• One theory claims he slides the rear outward in corners to reduce aerodynamic load on the front.
• Bleekemolen notes that drivers sometimes use left‑foot braking or overlap both pedals, a technique not unique to Verstappen.

What's next:

• Verstappen will contest the 24‑hour Nürburgring in May, offering a chance to see the technique in full‑race conditions.
• Observers will watch for the slipstream‑exploiting line and pedal overlap, while rivals may try to copy it in their GT programmes.