Verstappen recently secured a permit to drive GT3 cars<\/a> on the \u2018Green Hell\u2019. The Dutchman has expressed his desire to branch out into other motorsport categories, as has been seen through his sim racing exploits.<\/p>\n Red Bull<\/a> chief advisor Helmut Marko<\/a> confirmed that Verstappen will race in the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring<\/a>, which is typically held in June. On Saturday, he got his first taste of victory around the iconic Nordschleife circuit in the NLS category.<\/p>\n Verstappen did something \u2018very unusual\u2019<\/a> during the race as he pulled a 20-second lead over the pack; an uncommon gap in the series. The Dutchman took the wheel of the No.31 Ferrari 296 GT3 for the first two stints before Lulham took over and secured the win.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old displayed his incredible skill behind the wheel of the sports car, which left Dutch pundit Jeroen Bleekemolen stunned. Speaking to RacingNews365<\/a>, he was lost for words talking about Verstappen\u2019s start as he immediately took the lead at the first corner from third.<\/p>\n Bleekemolen found it \u2018almost impossible to explain\u2019 how the Red Bull driver navigated his way through traffic on the twisty and unforgiving Nordschleife complex: \u201cJust that start alone\u2026 I knew beforehand that he\u2019d be gone if he got off to a good start and was first onto the Nordschleife. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s exactly what he did. He also gained time in every sector. I didn\u2019t see a single sector where he lost a single second. In that traffic, that\u2019s truly amazing; it\u2019s almost impossible to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n He then added: \u201cIf he races the 24 Hours, that\u2019ll be great. If he has a good lineup, do the math\u2026 He was a minute ahead after two hours of racing. Calculate that, and you\u2019re a lap and a half ahead in a 24-hour race. That\u2019s how good he was! I enjoyed it; it was a top race.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Red Bull driver Max Verstappen\u2019s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend<\/a><\/p>\n Verstappen \u2018impressed\u2019 his Nurburgring instructor<\/a> during his debut outing in racing conditions. He has left countless people mesmerised by his performances on the circuit, especially seeing as he has not driven the track besides the sim before his private test.<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2237709893-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke\/Getty ImagesMax Verstappen navigating traffic during Nurburgring GT3 race was \u2018almost impossible to explain\u2019<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2237709859-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke\/Getty ImagesOne Formula 1 team would never let their drivers race a GT3 car like Max Verstappen<\/p>\n