Max Verstappen's Unseen Nordschleife Trick Stuns Nurburgring Legend

Max Verstappen's debut in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this weekend has already caught the eye of Markus Winkelhock, a four-time winner of the event. The Nordschleife legend spotted a subtle but critical technique from the four-time F1 champion that isn't visible on TV: his intelligent handling of slower traffic through high-speed sections.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's extracurricular GT3 campaign shows a driver hungry for pure racing, even as his F1 season with Red Bull becomes more challenging. His ability to instantly switch from an F1 car to a heavy GT3 machine—and master the unique demands of the Nordschleife—underscores a rare natural talent that extends beyond the F1 paddock.

The details:

• Traffic artistry: Winkelhock studied Verstappen's onboard footage and noticed how he manages speed differentials of up to 80 km/h against slower cars. At Flugplatz, instead of staying behind a slower car and losing momentum into Schwedenkreuz, Verstappen backs off early to create a gap, then uses the exit overrun to pass cleanly. This “invisible” skill gains crucial time in traffic.
• Instant adaptation: Switching from an F1 car to a GT3 would take most drivers several laps to readjust—even with a car they've driven for years. Winkelhock says Verstappen is back to aggressive pace within two or three laps. “Jumping between these two worlds is already difficult… what he does is insane,” he noted.
• Preparation journey: Verstappen earned his Nordschleife permit last year, won a GT3 race in 2025 with Ferrari before moving to Mercedes-AMG, and has competed in several NLS rounds. A disqualification for a tyre rule violation and a race shortened by tragedy have been his only setbacks this year.

What's next:

This weekend marks Verstappen's first experience of 24-hour racing—and his first night driving after missing that opportunity in an earlier round. He will share the #? Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO with Lucas Auer, Dani Juncadella, and Jules Gounon. While his F1 campaign with Red Bull has hit turbulence in 2026, the Nordschleife offers a pure racing challenge that the Dutchman clearly relishes. All eyes will be on how his racetrack craft translates to the most grueling endurance event on the calendar.