Source:REUTERS/JAKUB PORZYCKI
[Saba Sports News] This weekend, the spotlight in the racing world is on the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS). Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen will make his endurance racing debut at the “Green Hell.” The NLS is a renowned endurance series held at the Nurburgring, uniquely featuring a combined track length of 24.358 km, integrating the iconic Nordschleife and the Nurburgring GP circuit, posing immense challenges for both drivers and cars. The appeal of the NLS lies in its diverse range of car classes, from top-tier GT3 and GT4 to various touring cars and TCR vehicles. Verstappen will drive the Lionspeed GP Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS. Notably, Verstappen plans to fulfill the requirements by driving two Caymans (No. 89 and No. 980) in the same race. The reason for this is that Verstappen’s goal is not to achieve a result but to obtain the “Nurburgring Class A Permit.” This is mandated by the Nurburgring Permit (DPN) system, which has two levels. Only the higher Class A permit allows drivers to operate high-horsepower race cars. Verstappen must complete two valid finishes to earn the Class A permit, and driving two cars simultaneously enables him to meet the conditions in one go. He only needs to complete about seven laps in each car to fulfill the requirements. Thus, Verstappen’s goal for the weekend is clear: to successfully complete the race, obtain the “Nurburgring Class A Permit,” and pave the way for future participation in the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race with a GT3 car.