Verstappen backed for legendary Nürburgring win ahead of iconic 24-hour race

Gülden, speaking to GPblog ahead of race week, outlined his expectations for the event. The German sports car driver, who also instructed Verstappen during his permit test for the Nordschleife last year, expressed his excitement for the race while tipping the Dutchman for victory at the famed endurance spectacle.

“I think this will be a legendary race for sure, because we have so many strong cars, so many fantastic line-ups. So it will be crazy out there. So the tip for all the fans: switch on the television or come to the Nordschleife. Especially, we have so many nice places in the woods next to the track, that’s the best place. There are really big parties. So greetings and regards to Radio Wippermann, for example, really cool party combo. But for the final result, hopefully Max can do it,” Gülden said.

The German sports car driver also spoke about the experience of competing alongside Verstappen, particularly given that only last year he was seated next to him during the Dutchman’s Nordschleife permit drive.

Gülden admitted he is delighted by the opportunity, while also noting several factors that could prevent him from competing directly with Verstappen and the Winward Racing Mercedes outfit.

“It’s super cool. It’s super cool to have him here, and it’s really good for the Nordschleife and for the Nürburgring itself to make this event even a little bit more famous, a little bit more popular, because for me it’s definitely the best race in the world. And I wish him the best of luck. Competing against him is a big pleasure. But we, as Ring Racing with Toyota, we do tyre development, and at the moment we have some homework to do. We are just at the beginning of this development programme. He’s driving on Michelin tyres, so for sure he has very good equipment, and he deserves it. Hopefully, he can bring it home in P1,” he added.

Speaking further on racing in night conditions, Gülden expressed confidence in Verstappen’s ability to handle the unique challenges of the dark and unpredictable Nordschleife environment.

Verstappen takes on the Nürburgring alongside Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer in the #3 Mercedes of the Winward Racing outfit. The quartet starts in fourth place for the race after Juncadella, who drove the final leg of Top Qualifying, set a time just under a second off the pole lap recorded by Luca Engstler.