After getting a taste of the Nurburgring for a Formula 1 tyre test, Lando Norris has put his support behind Max Verstappen for his upcoming 24-hour race.
McLaren returned to the Nurburgring for the first time since 2020, with Norris and Oscar Piastri using the track for a Pirelli tyre test. The test was originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, but due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, it was rescheduled.
Nurburgring is a unique track in its history and layout, with a historic track dating back to the 1920s and a newer configuration created in 1984. For Norris, it was ‘a lot of fun’ presenting the opportunity to drive around a track which no longer features on the F1 calendar but has a rich history in the sport.
“It was the most fun I’ve had all year, to be honest. It was a lot of fun. Also, because it’s been a circuit I’ve driven on Gran Turismo and iRacing.”
“It’s on the simulator for years and it’s one of those tracks that everyone just wants to drive. Whether you’re a racing driver or not, it’s just always cool to go and do that because it’s so unique.”
Safety changing the sport
Nicknamed “Green Hell” by drivers at the time, the track fell out of favour due to changing safety requirements as F1 developed. The final GP in the historic configuration was in 1976 where Niki Lauda suffered a near-fatal crash where his Ferrari set alight and led to the track being deemed too dangerous for F1.
Even in the modern era of F1 cars, where safety is higher and serious accidents are rare, the track still has the ability to make you nervous, as Norris highlighted.
“Even McLaren is scary and fun. But it was cool that I got to do one of those things. As much as I’ve been in Formula 1 for years, I’ve been to Nürburgring countless times.”
The McLaren driver admitted that there’s something about Nurburgring that is exciting and ‘fun’ for drivers.
“I feel like you can do it in any car and probably have a lot of fun.”
While it’s not used for F1, Nurburgring is still used for many endurance series, and in the 24 hours of Nurburgring, drivers compete over a combination of the historic Nordschleife and the newer GP circuit.
Norris said that the copious onboard data from other racers at the Nurburgring had been helpful in his preparation and said that after watching Max Verstappen and other friends race in the GT races around Nurburgring, he had greater knowledge of the track.
“It was my first opportunity to actually go on the Nordschleife and drive. But I’ve also been watching all of the onboards. I knew the track off by heart already. I felt like I knew the track, but I’ve been watching all the GT races that Max has been doing, I have quite a few of my friends in GT racing so I’ve watched it for years.”
The dangers of Motorsport
“So it’s nice to get my own view of the circuit, and I think it certainly lives up to all the expectations and things that people say about it.”
However, the Nurburgring is not completely safe, even with advancements in Motorsport safety. This became prevalent when Juha Miettinen, the 66-year-old driver for Keeevin Motorsport, was involved in a severe crash in the 24h Qualifier race around Nurburgring Nordschleife and tragically lost his life.
It reminded drivers and fans alike of the risks of motorsport and what each driver puts on the line each time they get in the car. Norris explained that it isn’t just Nurburg, and that the risk of loss of life follows drivers around every circuit.
“It’s a tricky, risky track, and it’s sad to obviously lose a life in the other race. That can happen in racing in general. It’s not just the circuit that can happen at any track and have a similar consequence. So it’s a real shame that that’s the case. And it’s sad for all of Motorsport, but it’s one of the best races, I would say, in the world. “
Verstappen’s 24h debut
The 24h of Nurburgring will take place from May 14-17, with countless drivers from various categories taking part. Max Verstappen has taken headlines in 2026 by his continued participation in GT Racing, including the 24h. Norris told the media, including Motorsport Week, that he will be supporting his competitor in the coming weeks.
“It’s the Nordschleife 24 Hours, and I’ll be watching, maybe not all the 24 Hours, but as much as possible. And supporting Max because he’s a guy that I respect a lot. I’ve enjoyed watching him and Christoph Haase racing the last few weeks. It’s good to watch him, so I’ll definitely be watching him.”
As F1 faces more criticism over new regulations and endurance racing continues to interest ex and current drivers, Verstappen may be the only current F1 driver branching out, but he’s sure not the last.
READ MORE – Lance Stroll savages ‘fundamentally flawed’ 2026 regulations
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