[Saba Sports News] As Max Verstappen prepares for the Nürburgring endurance race, a side of him quite different from his usual self is gradually emerging. Although he was disqualified from the earlier NLS round for exceeding tire usage limits, his performance during the race and a special technique mentioned by his teammates have still become the focus of widespread attention.
To prepare for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen has chosen to take part in several warm-up events in advance to adapt to GT3 cars and the rhythm of endurance racing. In the latest NLS race, he shared a GT3 car with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon. Starting from pole position, they led from start to finish and crossed the line first with a lead of nearly one minute. After the race, seasoned endurance drivers noted that Verstappen’s ability to follow in turbulent air is exceptional, allowing him to maintain pace at extremely close distances. Juncadella revealed that the four-time F1 world champion used a highly unusual method to manage the challenges of slipstream driving, a technique that even surprised experienced racers. However, this skill has not yet been made public; Juncadella only described it as a very clever little trick.
In my opinion, Verstappen’s “hidden technique” is not some inexplicable dark art, but the result of his extraordinary learning ability, extensive sim racing practice, and F1-honed car control. His teammates’ astonishment stems more from the technical differences between GT3 and F1 machinery than from the trick itself being unreplicable.