Possibility of Verstappen adopting Porsche as his personal vehicle?

Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One World Champion, has expressed interest in expanding his racing horizons, and the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife could be his next destination. Here's a rundown of the Dutch driver's potential GT3 debut on the Nordschleife.

Recently, Verstappen tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 with Emil Frey Racing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife during a test day of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). This testing activity has fuelled speculation that Verstappen may make his Nordschleife debut with the Swiss DTM team in 2025.

To compete in a GT3 car, Verstappen would first need to complete two races in a less powerful car to obtain the "Nordschleife permit." However, drivers with FIA driver rating Gold or Platinum can take a shortcut, where completing two different vehicles in a race and completing a prescribed total of 14 laps without penalty fulfils the permit requirements in just one race.

Max Verstappen could potentially contest the ninth race on September 27 or the tenth round on October 11, if these races are free from the Formula 1 calendar. If he succeeds in obtaining his permit, he could contest a race with the Ferrari 296 GT3 in the current season.

The most powerful "small" car available in the NLS is the Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 CS, as driven in the Cup 3 class of the NLS. Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen, has already obtained his Nordschleife permit with Lionspeed GP on the Cayman.

Patrick Kolb, a GT professional racing driver, is behind Lionspeed GP and has previously raced on the Nordschleife. Chris Lulham recently tested with Verstappen in the Ferrari and started the sixth round of the series with the Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 CS for the Lionspeed GP team.

Verstappen's pseudonym "Franz Hermann" has gained attention and now appears on official merchandise of Verstappen. The lap record set by Verstappen during his test on the track variant of the NLS, combining the Grand Prix track and Nordschleife, has sparked discussions in the scene, but it is not an officially timed lap.

Max Verstappen has also shown interest in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, scheduled for May 16-17, 2026. Notably, this event does not clash with the Formula 1 calendar in 2026.

In conclusion, Max Verstappen's potential GT3 debut on the Nordschleife is an exciting prospect for racing fans. With his testing activity and interest in the 24-hour race, it seems that Verstappen is serious about his Nordschleife ambitions. Whether he will make his debut in 2025 or beyond remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - the racing world will be watching with bated breath.