So talented, fast and brave': Verstappen earns huge praise after Nurburgring outing

Max Verstappen came within striking distance of winning his first 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, only for a late mechanical failure to end Team Verstappen Racing's hopes. Despite the retirement, the four-time Formula 1 champion's performance earned glowing praise from rival Lance Stroll, who called him "so talented, fast and brave." The outing also caught the attention of Lewis Hamilton, who admitted he would "love to" take on a similar challenge at the legendary Nordschleife.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's Nürburgring appearance highlights the growing crossover between F1 and endurance racing. His aggressive overtakes during the night and consistently strong pace impressed the paddock, reinforcing his reputation as a driver who excels in any discipline—and sparking talk of more top drivers trying their hand at iconic events.

The details:

• Stroll, speaking ahead of his home race in Montreal, watched highlights and was particularly struck by Verstappen's night driving. "Hats off. He's so talented and so fast and so brave. He was making some crazy moves in the middle of the night and was super quick," the Canadian said. Stroll, who owns a GT3 car and recently entered a race with friends during F1's six-week break, admitted he enjoys driving different machinery.
• Hamilton, now at Ferrari, was asked if he'd follow Verstappen's path. "I love the Nordschleife, so I would love to drive a car around there at some stage. The racing looks fantastic," he said. However, the seven-time champion stopped short of commitment: "Could do, don't need to."
• Verstappen's near-win dominated Thursday's media day in Montreal as the F1 paddock prepares for Round 5 of the 2026 season at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

What's next:

With the focus shifting to the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen's Nürburgring adventure remains a hot topic. While Hamilton has no concrete plans, his interest suggests the Nordschleife could see more F1 stars in the future. For now, the grid is fully concentrated on the upcoming race weekend.