Max Verstappen factor disappoints fans as F1 star’s actions have huge consequences
The Canadian Grand Prix is up next for Formula 1 but Max Verstappen won’t be waiting for the trip to Montreal for his next racing fix as he heads back to the Nurburgring Nordschleife
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Max Verstappen is racing again on a weekend of from Formula 1(Image: Getty Images)
Fans desperate to watch Max Verstappen race outside of Formula 1 this weekend have “literally overwhelmed” organisers with their interest. Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix later this month, Verstappen will again swap his Red Bull for a GT3 car.
This time it’s the event he’s been practicing for: The Nurburgring 24 Hours on the famous and fearsome Nordschleife circuit. But fans hoping to turn up at the German circuit this weekend should prepare for disappointment because, for the first time ever, race organisers have had to limit ticket sales, such is the extraordinary level of demand for a vantage point of the track dubbed ‘The Green Hell’.
“We are, of course, delighted by the huge response from long-standing and new fans, who have literally overwhelmed us this year,” said 24-hour race director Walter Hornung. “At the same time, however, we are naturally working closely with the Nurburgring and the authorities to ensure an orderly and safe experience for all visitors.
“That is why, for the first time in the 50-year history of the 24h Nurburgring, we have had to limit the number of tickets.
“The reasons for this necessary restriction are primarily due to the limited capacity of car parks and camping areas at the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife. The busy traffic situation on the few access roads to the Ring also means that no further visitors can be accommodated, particularly on Saturday.”
All weekend tickets are sold out, with the event’s website now only showing single-day tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday as still being available to purchase. Saturday has clearly been the most in-demand day, as that is when the 24-hour race itself is scheduled to begin.
“Anyone who has not yet secured a ticket valid for Saturday should, under no circumstances, drive to the Ring on Saturday and hope for the best,” organisers said. All the extra interest comes despite the fact that Verstappen has yet to actually secure his place on the grid for the 24-hour race.
Disqualification at a race on the Nordschleife back in March, along with technical issues which hampered him in a qualifying event last month, mean the Dutchman will arrive at the Nurburgring knowing he is on his final chance to qualify. Verstappen and his team-mates in the Red Bull-sponsored #3 Winward Racing car must make it through the full qualifying gauntlet to secure their place on the starting grid.
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Max Verstappen has been driving a Mercedes GT3 car in his visits to the Nordschleife(Image: EYE4images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
The race will go ahead despite the death of racer Juha Miettinen during one of the qualifying events held last month. The Finn became the 70th driver killed while competing on the dangerous and difficult circuit, though it was the first death of a racer on the Nordschleife since June 2013.
“Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be,” Verstappen said in the hours after Miettinen’s death. The four-time F1 champion is due to be on a plane to Montreal days after the 24-hour race, so he is ready for the Canadian Grand Prix.
