Max Verstappen handed 'weakest link' verdict over lack of crucial 'insight'

Max Verstappen will arguably be the "weakest link" in his Nurburgring 24 Hours line-up, according to Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) commentator Peter Snowdon.

Although little surprise to anyone, the Dutchman immediately impressed when he stepped into GT machinery last year, winning on debut at the Nordschleife in a Ferrari 296 GT3.

This term, he has stepped up his involvement, with Verstappen Racing now using a Mercedes-AMG GT3 — and he will take part in his first 24-hour contest at the 'Green Hell' in May.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion will compete alongside Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella, with whom he competed over the weekend in the four-hour NLS2 race at the Nordschleife, and Lucas Auer.

Whilst the latter was not part of the crew that crossed the line first on Saturday, before subsequently being disqualified for a mix-up that saw them use seven sets of tyres instead of the permitted six across qualifying and the race, it has been suggested by Snowdon that Verstappen could be the biggest liability — even if an incredibly small one — in that group.

Speaking on commentary during the NLS2 event over the weekend, Snowdon said: "I did place the argument the other day that for the 24-hour race in May, that in this line-up, which is joined by Lucas Auer as well, that Verstappen is arguably the weaker link."

He went on to explain his rationale, adding, "Because he hasn’t had 24-hour experience, whereas the others have, and there’s just no insight.

"So it will be interesting to see how much he does at night. I bet he will, because he’s not going to reject a challenge.

"I’m not saying he’s going to be slow or anything.

"But that is credit to the strength of the other team-mates in that field, that he’s arguably, perhaps the weakest link at night, in that car, or if it rains."

Lead commentator Bruce Jones responded by noting that whilst Verstappen has not competed in a 24-hour contest in person, he has done so virtually.

"Yeah, in the real world, but we know full well that he’s done some 24-hour races, sim races," he replied. "Plus, his natural talent."