Max Verstappen Le Mans bid 'possible' after 'pretty incredible' GT run

Nico Hülkenberg sees no reason why Max Verstappen could not compete at Le Mans in the middle of a Formula 1 season, provided the respective calendars allow.

Verstappen delivered a major surprise when he secured his GT racing A licence after a weekend at the Nordschleife, which now allows him to compete in a round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series later this month, likely in a Ferrari 296 GT3.

The Red Bull driver successfully obtained the licence for the legendary circuit after completing 14 laps of the green hell in a four-hour race on Saturday in a detuned Porsche Cayman GT4.

Whilst Verstappen did not manage to secure the necessary two classified results, a panel waived that requirement to award him the higher class of permit. 

The four-time F1 champion had satisfied all the criteria up to that point, including taking part in a track and theory exam on Friday, which was needed for a category B licence.

As to the possibilities for Verstappen beyond the Endurance race this month, Hülkenberg, who once famously won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2015 whilst racing in F1 with Force India, feels the Dutchman can follow his lead.

The two downsides for Verstappen are that the F1 calendar has since expanded to 24 races, compared to the 19 of a decade ago, meaning the probability of a clash has been raised, as is the case next year when Le Mans and the Spanish GP are on the same weekend.

Assessing Verstappen's Le Mans options, speaking exclusively to RacingNews365, Hülkenberg said: "In theory, it's possible, it's doable.

"Whether that's something he wants to do during a Formula 1 season, I don't know. Only he will know that.

"But I admire that he's got such a full-on racing head. His entire life is around racing. When he's not at a racetrack in Formula 1, he's at home in his sim, in the Red Bull simulator, or driving some GT car.

"I don't know many people who are so much into it, and centre everything around it.

"But pretty amazing and fun what he did there, to go into the GTs, to do the licence there. Being in the current season, and still somewhat involved in the championship, it's pretty incredible."

In preparation for his Le Mans assault, with Hülkenberg teaming up with Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy in a Porsche 919 Hybrid, the German driver confirmed it was different compared to Verstappen's GT build-up.

"I had to do a simulator session course before," revealed Hülkenberg. "It's a bit less demanding and easier than what Max had to do.

"But I also had to fly somewhere to do a sim run and to learn all about Le Mans, like a sticker of proof."

As to his own plans beyond F1, which will see Hülkenberg become a works Audi driver next season as the German manufacturer enters the sport for the first time, he remains open.

"I'm just focused on the F1 stuff for now," said Hülkenberg. "What happens after, I've no idea."