Max Verstappen has shared his pleasure at obtaining his category A licence at the Nordschleife, reflecting on his challenges he faced racing in a de-tuned Porsche Cayman GT4 car.
Having been granted his category B licence on Friday, allowing him to compete on Saturday, the Red Bull driver was still 14 laps and two classified results away from achieving the next step up, which allows him to compete in events such as the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.
However, despite the Dutchman failing to attain two results - due to a mechanical issue in the second car he was racing - a panel has awarded him his permit on an exceptional basis, after 14 completed laps in the #980 machine.
The four-time F1 drivers' champion is now expected to return to the famed German circuit on September 27 to race his Ferrari 296 GT3.
"I’m happy it all went smooth, and I got my DMSB Permit Nordschleife," the 66-time grand prix winner told his website, verstappen.com.
"I really enjoyed myself, but that’s always the case around here. It was good to drive stints in the race with traffic, both with faster and slower cars."
Highlighting some of the hurdles he overcame during the four-hour race, the 27-year-old expressed his satisfaction at gaining more experience at the legendary circuit nicknamed 'the green hell'.
"There was also a 'code 60' race neutralisation, double waved yellows and a standard yellow flag," he said. "I drove in the wet, the dry and in mixed conditions.
"I’ve gained experience in where the grip is and isn’t, and completed a start procedure. It was really good to gain more experience on this circuit."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Italian Grand Prix! Max Verstappen's dominant win is a lead discussion, as is whether McLaren has set a precedent with its controversial team orders.
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