Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, ventured into GT racing during a break between the Italian and Azerbaijani Grands Prix. Competing in the ADAC Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany, Verstappen faced a challenging start, being overtaken by seven cars at the race’s beginning.

The 27-year-old driver, behind the wheel of a Red Bull-themed Porsche Cayman GT4 #980, had to contend with restricted performance due to not having his full racing license for the Nurburgring circuit. Despite this handicap, Verstappen showcased his skill by setting an impressive lap time, securing sixth place in his class and 27th overall.

To earn his complete license, Verstappen needs to complete 14 incident-free laps in his GT4. If successful, he will return in two weeks to race a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the 57th ADAC Barbarossapreis event.

Ralf Schumacher, a former F1 driver and brother of Michael Schumacher, voiced support for Verstappen, advocating for an immediate full license grant considering Verstappen’s exceptional driving abilities. Verstappen, on his part, expressed his enjoyment of exploring different racing categories outside F1, emphasizing the importance of balancing professional commitments with personal time.

Join the discussion on whether Max Verstappen should have been granted his license without delay in the comments section. Additionally, seize the opportunity to support Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing with exclusive discounts on teamwear, merchandise, and memorabilia at the F1 Store sale.