Max Verstappen highlights major F1 obstacle after sensational GT3 victory

Max Verstappen has suggested it will be more difficult to repeat his endurance race outings next year due to the new F1 regulations coming into play.

Verstappen took part in a four-hour endurance last weekend at the famous Nordschleife circuit, taking victory alongside team-mate Chris Lulham.

The Dutchman has often been seen streaming online, racing around the Nordschleife on the simulator.

Verstappen suggested his vast experience in the virtual world helped him with he took to the track in real life.

“It was a lot of fun, I’ve been preparing for that for a while,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.

“It was two very nice days again. Racing a bit in the wet and the dry, just getting more and more experience was nice.

“To win it. That's an extra bonus. I've been doing this already for so many years on the simulator.

“For me, doing it now in real life is not very different, but it definitely doesn't hurt.”

Verstappen has long voiced his desire to compete at endurance events, but the 24-race F1 schedule creates few opportunities for drivers to do so.

With new regulations coming into play next year, drivers will likely be kept busy working with their teams to work through the headaches that are presented early in the year.

Verstappen suggested it will likely keep him too occupied to race more often in an endurance car next year.

“It depends on a lot of things, to be honest,” he said. 

“It depends on F1 first of all, I am suspecting that with the rules next year it's going to be very complicated to start with, and some unknowns anyway.

“So it probably will be a little bit more hectic than the end of a regulation, where things are a bit more straightforward.

“Also, the programme of the GT3 team, which car we are going to race next year, stuff like that.

“A lot of things still have to come together before I can really plan it well in advance, for just the drivers already in the team, plus myself.

“We want to be back there. I just don't know at the moment myself, how much or how many races I can do next year.

“But if there is an opportunity and I feel good about it, plus whatever is happening in F1, then for sure.”