Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen
Marcus Chan
Max Verstappen's lap time at the Nurburgring Nordschleife has been compared to other Formula 1 drivers.
Prior to last weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, reigning world champion Verstappen was spotted driving around the iconic track behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3.
The GT3 cars are often used for the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) race.
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The Dutchman opted to use the pseudonym of Franz Hermann as he looked to avoid attracting attention.
As reported by Autosport, the NLS lap record at the Nurburgring stood at 7m49.578s, set by Christian Krognes in a BMW M4 GT3 back in November 2022.
The record was reportedly 'smashed' by Verstappen almost 'effortlessly'.
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Aside from Verstappen, other F1 drivers have also driven around the famous track in Germany.
It has previously been claimed that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel clocked a lap time of around eight minutes driving an Infiniti Q50 prototype.
Meanwhile, Frenchman Romain Grosjean drove a BMW M3 E92 during a Touristenfahrten event; his time was suggested to be around 7m32s.
Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen also had a go around the Nurburgring, but his time was not published.
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Former Honda driver and 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button clocked a time of 7m43s when he drove a Type R around the circuit back in 2017.
Speaking about the experience, Verstappen explained: "I've never driven there in real life, not even with a road car. Of course, I did spend a lot of time on the simulator doing thousands of laps, so that helped.
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"When I got out there a few barriers were different, maybe a few kerbs were a little bit different, but I know the track layout well. It's just getting used to the grip level of the car, the conditions, the new tarmac in places."
He continued: "At the same time I was there with my sim driver that now turned into a real driver. Even for him also to get up to speed there, because eventually we all want to do that race as a team. It was a very good day, we got lucky with the weather as well – it was nice and sunny. It was fantastic!"