Max Verstappen is taking a step towards his "dream" by making his long-awaited competitive GT3 debut this weekend.
The four-time world champion has been confirmed as a driver in this weekend's ninth round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Series (NLS), competing in a Ferrari GT3.
Verstappen was at the historic circuit the weekend before the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix racing GT4 machinery, in a bid to gain the required license to compete in the GT3 class.
He secured his Nordschleife racing license by taking part in a four-hour race with a scaled-back Porsche Cayman GT4 car, with that license to be used for the first time on Saturday.
The Red Bull star will drive a Ferrari 296 GT3 car in the Verstappen.com Racing colours, entered and run by Emil Frey Racing.
Verstappen will be partnered by Chris Lulham, and is expected to be in contention for the race win despite it being his debut.
Making his competitive GT3 debut this weekend is a major step towards the 27-year-old's dream of racing in the Nordschleife 24 Hours.
"It is my passion to do these kinds of GT3 races too. I can’t wait!" said Verstappen. "I’m passionate about racing, also outside of Formula 1.
"Every lap at the Nordschleife is a different kind of experience. The atmosphere is also really good and there are a lot of endurance fans present.
"It’s my hobby to race in other categories than Formula 1. My dream is to eventually participate in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife."
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