Max Verstappen hailed as 'amazing ambassador' over motorsport passion

Max Verstappen has been hailed as an "amazing ambassador" for motorsport because of the awareness he has brought to championships outside Formula 1, according to António Félix da Costa.

The Dutchman has brought significant attention and exposure to the Nordschleife and the NLS series through his GT3 racing adventure.

This weekend, Verstappen is competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for the first time, having spent significant time preparing for the event when not racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing in Formula 1.

It has become increasingly clear that the 28-year-old's motorsport interests do not lie solely in the pinnacle of motorsport, as Verstappen himself has outlined.

Formula 1 drivers competing in other categories alongside their main campaigns was a common occurrence many years ago, although it has become far rarer in modern F1.

Verstappen has almost turned back the clock, while drivers such as Nico Hülkenberg and Fernando Alonso have also competed in major endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans in recent years.

Discussing the significance of what Verstappen is doing, da Costa told RacingNews365 during an interview: "I think what Max Verstappen is doing this year, and what Fernando Alonso did a few years ago by competing in the WEC and taking two sabbatical years away from Formula 1, is fantastic.

"I think these two guys understand that there's a lot of talent outside the Formula 1 paddock, and that just brings the whole motorsport world closer together.

"It shows the fans that there is more racing out there than just Formula 1, right? So we can only thank them. They're amazing ambassadors for the sport, and they're helping us grow."