Helmut Marko is certain Max Verstappen will race in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours following the securing of his Ring Permit last weekend.<\/p>\n
The Dutch driver took part in a N\u00fcrburgring Langstrecken-Serie race at the Nordschleife last weekend, securing the necessary Permit A which will allow him to take part in full-blooded endurance races from now on.<\/p>\n
Helmut Marko is \u2018certain\u2019 Max Verstappen can compete for victory<\/p>\n
The four-time F1 World Champion headed to the German circuit last weekend in a guest appearance in the NLS7 event.<\/p>\n
The aim of his participation was to secure the required DMSB Permit A, colloquially known as a Ring Licence, which racing drivers are required to hold in order to take part in the famed Nurburgring 24 Hours.<\/p>\n
Verstappen passed the required classroom examinations on Friday before racing in a power-restricted Porsche 718 Cayman with teammate Chris Lulham on Saturday. He finished at the top of his CUP3(G) class of restricted cars, and seventh overall out of the CUP3 cars \u2013 the first of the power-restricted machines.<\/p>\n
His result and completion of 14 racing laps were enough to convince officials to award the four-time F1 World Champion his Permit A, having shown a clear ability to handle the traffic of the multi-class event.<\/p>\n
With his permit, the possibility of taking part in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours \u2013 which will run on an F1-less weekend in May next year \u2013 is now very likely, and would allow Verstappen to drive a Ferrari GT3 car such as the one he tested at the circuit earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko all but confirmed Verstappen will participate in the event, showing his support for the Dutch driver\u2019s enthusiasm for racing away from F1: such extracurricular activities are usually not permitted by teams, due to the inherent danger and risk to a current campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that a Formula 1 driver, who has many obligations besides racing \u2013 simulator, marketing and PR appointments \u2013 is still taking the time for something like this with such enthusiasm,\u201d Marko told Germany\u2019s\u00a0RTL.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe N\u00fcrburgring and the Nordschleife are, of course, something that fascinates every racer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time when our car was not competitive, it was his great passion. Now both are working.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on Max Verstappen on PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Why officials were right to make Max Verstappen sweat for Nurburgring licence<\/a><\/p>\n