Hamilton opens door to Verstappen-style Nurburgring move: 'I would love to'

Lewis Hamilton has opened the door to a future appearance at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, following Max Verstappen's dramatic debut at the 24-hour endurance race. The seven-time champion told media in Montréal that he would "love to drive a car around there," though he stressed it's not a necessity.

Why it matters:

The Nordschleife remains one of motorsport's most legendary venues, and a Hamilton appearance would draw massive global attention. With Verstappen already planning a return after a near-certain victory was undone by a mechanical failure, the growing crossover between F1 stars and GT endurance racing signals a shift in driver priorities and the appeal of iconic events outside the Grand Prix calendar.

The details:

• Hamilton's comments: "There's definitely a part of me… I love the Nordschleife, so I would love to drive a car around there at some stage. The racing looks fantastic. But I don't know. Could do, don't need to."
• Verstappen's near-miss: The four-time world champion's Verstappen Racing team dominated the Nürburgring 24 Hours, leading comfortably until a driveshaft failure struck four hours from the finish. The car eventually returned to salvage a P38 finish.
• Unfinished business: Verstappen admitted he now feels he has "unfinished business" at the Nordschleife and confirmed a return is part of his plans, calendar permitting. He called the experience "extremely positive" despite the late blow.
• Broader context: Verstappen's recent criticism of F1's future regulations has fueled speculation about his long-term commitment, but he emphasized that exploring categories like endurance racing offers a different kind of enjoyment.

What's next:

Hamilton's interest remains exploratory, with no concrete plans. Verstappen, meanwhile, is eager for another shot at the 24 Hours, aiming to convert his dominant pace into victory. Their potential appearances would further blur the lines between Formula 1 and GT racing, raising the profile of endurance events among the F1 fanbase.