Max Verstappen describes extreme Nordschleife challenge: 'I could barely see'

Max Verstappen has revealed the extreme visibility challenges he encountered during a late-evening practice session at the Nordschleife, preparing for this weekend's Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Red Bull driver, who qualified fourth for the endurance race, used the run to adapt to driving in darkness and wet conditions.

Why it matters:

For an F1 driver accustomed to modern circuits with high-grip surfaces and consistent lighting, the Nordschleife's 73 corners and unpredictable weather present a unique test. Verstappen's ability to quickly adapt to such conditions adds to his reputation as one of the most versatile drivers on the grid.

The details:

• Verstappen described the session as "quite tricky," with rain reducing visibility to near zero. "I could barely see with a little bit of fog and vapour coming off the track," he told Viaplay.
• The lack of clarity made it impossible to gauge standing water: "You just can't see where there is a lot of water, so you just have to drive slowly."
• Darkness factor: Driving at night compounded the challenge, as track marshals' posts become harder to spot. Verstappen noted that spectators' lights can be mistaken for yellow or green flags.
• Preparation priority: Despite the difficulty, Verstappen emphasized the lap was essential: "It was important to ride in the dark for a while and get used to it with your eyes as well."

The Dutchman starts the Nürburgring 24 Hours from P4 after Friday's qualifying, with the race set to run through the night—meaning his practice session could pay dividends.

What's next:

• The Nürburgring 24 Hours begins Saturday, with Verstappen sharing a Porsche GT3 R with teammates. The race's overnight segment will demand constant focus under low-visibility conditions.
• For Verstappen, this is a rare chance to apply his F1-honed reflexes to a completely different discipline, ahead of next month's Formula 1 calendar events.