The next three weeks will be three consecutive Formula 1 Grand Prix races, so many people may think the drivers have taken a short break. However, Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, has decided to compete, but in a different way.
Last weekend Max Verstappen competed in car racing, but in simulation at the iRacing 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Max Verstappen finishes third at the iRacing 24 Hours of Nürburgring
The 24 Hours of Nürburgring, one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races, pits GT3, GT4, and racing cars against each other on the most treacherous track on the planet.
This tournament being a 24-hour competition, two circuits are disputed simultaneously, the Nordschleife and the permanent circuit, or GP. The Germans treat this competition as a party that is dedicated to motoring. Therefore, it can be said that it is a great event that coincides with the national holidays.
On the other hand, it is important to note that Max Verstappen likes to compete from time to time in endurance races. He even has a racing simulator installed in his private jet where he can train or relax while traveling from one grand prix to another. In previous years Max Verstappen had competed with the Redline team, one of the best European sim-racing teams at the iRacing 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Another @iRacing Nürburgring 24H done and dusted, great job boys! 👏@BMW #BMWm4gt3 pic.twitter.com/0p4xazRX8M
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 14, 2023
Third place in the virtual order of the iRacing 24 Hours of the Nürburgring
Max Verstappen raced the 24 hours iRacing Nürburgring with his BMW M4 GT3 #71 and his teammates Ole Steinbraten and Diogo Pinto. They managed to take third place on the podium in the GT3 class of the main division.
In this competition, it was possible to see how the current Formula 1 champion made different maneuvers while entering a night environment with very dangerous and complicated curves. Therefore, this section is known as the “Green Hell.”
Max Verstappen doing Max Verstappen things on iRacing #Nurburgring24h pic.twitter.com/LbBEtUSxad
— MrChris21.bsky.social (@S3Spandau) May 14, 2023
Despite great efforts, Max Verstappen and his team only managed third place. While the Mercedes-AMG team was the GT3 champion beating the Williams eSports team by 15.5 seconds, who finished in second place.
On the other hand, the Heusinkveld team managed to win the TCR division with their car #404. This vehicle is dedicated to the same touring cars that compete in both the real event and the current TCR World Tour (continuation of the defunct WTCR).
In turn, Spanish racing simulation fans also enjoyed the victory of Astro Racing VGD’s Toyota GR86, in which Jess Rato competed, in the category dedicated to the Japanese company’s model.