Melbourne : Four-times Formula One world champion Max Verstappen will compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May with his own GT3 team backed by Red Bull, the organisers said on Monday.
The 28-year-old Dutch driver, who races in Formula One for Red Bull Racing, has already taken part in several sportscar races and has previous experience on the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen will share driving duties with Lucas Auer of Austria, Jules Gounon of Andorra and Spaniard Daniel Juncadella in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing and carrying his familiar Formula One number three.
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport said Verstappen would also take part in a preparation race at the Nürburgring on March 21 after it was rescheduled to ensure he could compete between Formula One races in China and Japan.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May 16-17, falls between the Miami Grand Prix on May 3 and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on May 24.
Held annually since 1970, the endurance race combines the Nordschleife — nicknamed the “Green Hell” when it hosted Formula One in the 1960s and 1970s — with the modern grand prix circuit to form a 25-kilometre loop.
“The Nürburgring is a special place. There’s no other track like it. The 24h Nürburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now,” Verstappen said in a statement.
“Last year I was able to get my DMSB Permit Nordschleife and participate in NLS9, that we won. That preparation is very valuable, as we have learned a lot that we can take into our programme this year with NLS2 and the 24-hour race.”
Verstappen, who has criticised Formula One’s new cars and engines, said during pre-season testing he would look to find enjoyment in other racing series as well.
