Audi driver Haase shares details on Verstappen's techniques: 'That was only his second race'
Updated: 21:10, 21 Apr
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Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Max Verstappen has surprised many experienced GT3 drivers with his driving style and battles on the Nordschleife. Christopher Haase, who played a leading role in the duels with Verstappen, has nothing but kind words for his opponent in an interview with GPblog.
As if it were scripted, Verstappen and Haase met again on the Nordschleife during the N24 Qualifiers. The two had already fought during the second race of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), after which Haase was flooded with sweet messages about his battle with Verstappen, while race footage went viral on Instagram.
A number of drivers found it surprising that Verstappen could follow Haase so closely. While teammate Dani Juncadella initially spoke of a “trick,” Christian Klien jokingly said that Verstappen just had “very big balls”.
When GPblog told Haase about that quote, he laughed, and explained: “This is true! When I looked in the mirrors, I saw that Max could follow very well on certain fast sections.”
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“For example, in the fast corners like Mutkurve, Flugplatz and Schwedenkreuz, and a few other places. You don’t see that often.
"I mean, there are a lot of professional drivers who can do that, but for him, only in his second GT3 race there, and being immediately on this level of managing dirty air, I find really surprising. If there’s a special trick? I don’t know exactly,” the German says.
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'What he did was simply very strong'
Christopher Haase in the #16 Audi on the Nordschleife - Photo: VLN Presse
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Haase has two wins in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring and Dubai to his name and became champion with Audi in the Blancpain Endurance Series and the International GT Open.
Scherer Sport PHX team boss Ron Moser, who manages the #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3, was therefore more than surprised that Haase currently doesn't have a factory contract.
It’s clear that Haase has a lot of experience and can definitely be called a Nordschleife expert.
His words about Verstappen are therefore telling: “What I would say from the outside is that his timing is very good.
"When he needs to be close and when he should lift a bit and leave a little more space. That timing felt really strong,” Haase explains.
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“We always made sure we had a good exit and used the slipstream to close back up.”
If you are too close, you actually lose two to three car lengths and it’s hard to close that gap: “Max had that specific timing, with just slightly tighter lines to keep the aerodynamics optimal. What he did really well,” the German said.
During NLS5, Verstappen Racing ultimately came up short due to damage to the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
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Haase doesn’t want to bother Verstappen
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The two didn’t speak to each other afterwards, Haase says.
“I do know Thierry Vermeulen very well,” he explains, referring to the good friend and Verstappen Racing driver who will compete in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in the #45 Kondo Racing Ferrari.
"We talked together to share our feelings. That was all we did”
Haase didn’t feel the need to seek out Verstappen:“I’m not someone who runs through the paddock and I also don’t want to bother him, because he already has enough to do.
I respect that. On track, everything is super respectful. That’s basically all,” Haase concludes with a smile.
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