Max Verstappen during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Lap record king applauds Verstappen’s Nurburgring masterclass

16:33, 28 Sep

Updated: 17:13, 28 Sep

bySamson Ero

Timo Bernhard has hailed Max Verstappen’s talent following his GT3 race debut at the Nordschleife. The Nurburgring lap record holder expressed how pleased he was with the F1 drivers’ approach to his outing.

“Hats off to Max Verstappen for tackling the Nordschleife…”

- Timo Bernhard

The 44-year-old, who was on commentary duties for WEC's official broadcast in Fuji, Japan, talked about the race victory of Verstappen while the Safety Car was out.

Bernhard also highlighted how delighted he often gets when other drivers try out endurance racing.

"Hats off to Max Verstappen for tackling the Nordschleife. I like this. The platform which gets the most attention, which is Formula 1 for sure, when they try other disciplines.”

“Mark Webber was in my car, we shared the car for three years, we had great fun, these are great race car drivers and they like to experience other things and endurance racing has so much to offer…”

Max Verstappen comes into the pits at the Nordschleife - Photo: GPblog

Speaking about the possibility of Verstappen eclipsing his lap record, Bernhard continued: “He needs to change cars for sure,” he laughed.

The driver currently holds the lap record at the ‘Green Hell’ – a feat he achieved in June 2018, when he drove around the circuit in a specially prepared Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo.

“It's great. I don't know him personally, but hearing things about him, he's a racer, and I like the way he tackled it. He has a huge talent, as we know, and Nordschleife is something special, and he really honours his place. Also, it's something I cherish, I like it.”

Earlier this year, using the pseudonym Franz Hermann, Verstappen unofficially set a lap record in his Ferrari GT3 car.

Nurburgring veteran also hails Verstappen

Veteran Frank Stippler praised Max Verstappen at the Nordschleife. The 50-year-old named the Dutchman and the 'best driver in the world,' and added that he expected 'nothing less' from him.

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