Nurburgring veteran Haase thanks Verstappen fans after fierce duels

After the duel in the N24 Qualifiers, Haase did have to admit it was a bit tougher for him, as he still wasn’t entirely happy with the rear-end behavior of the Audi R8 LMS GT3. In any case, he again enjoyed his door-to-door fight with Verstappen and hopes to repeat that in May.

The messages fans sent him were filled with nothing but kind words. “Yes, definitely,” Haase begins in conversation with GPblog. “Look, I’m not a social media professional,” he laughs. “I do it like I do it because it feels well - that's how I do it! But I have experienced many other situations in my life where I haven't received nice messages, I'd say.”

He hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic response to the spectacle with Verstappen: “I got so many messages. And like I said last time, it was 95% only positive feedback and also in the paddock from so many people, from fans. A lot of Max Verstappen fans actually joined me, it's crazy!” he smiles.

During NLS2 the two had already fought hard, after which Verstappen vs. Haase became a major topic. Everyone was on the edge of their seat when it happened again in April. Haase already told this website that he finds it remarkable how well Verstappen is doing on the Nordschleife in a GT3 car, where he’s competing against drivers who have already done thousands of laps there.

“People were so happy that we had this fight. And I see this as something very positive. I also want to say thanks to everybody,” Haase continues. “Seeing us fight against each other, but liking it and not being mad or something, whatever could happen in the social media life nowadays. I think this showed me: okay, our sport, what we do, this is right, this is nice, and people like it.”

Haase is the picture of modesty and could certainly claim a bit more credit for his part in the spectacular battles. The Nordschleife veteran will take on the 24-hour race together with Alexander Sims and Ben Green. The #16 Audi from Scherer Sport PHX has already secured a spot in Top Qualifying 3.

Looking back one more time at the stunning footage from the fight with Verstappen, Haase concludes: “It does make me also a bit proud that we can be here and do this.”

From May 14 to 17, the Nordschleife will erupt with racing action. On May 13, there is first a parade in Adenau, where fans can get close to the race cars and their heroes. From May 14 onwards there will be practice sessions, including at night. On Friday the GT3s will also qualify for pole position.

The #16 Scherer Audi of Haase, Green, and Sims has received a ticket for Top Qualifying 3 thanks to performances in the NLS races leading up to the 24-hour race. Verstappen Racing does not have that ticket yet, and will therefore have to work hard to secure a favorable starting position for the race.