Nordschleife legend Timo Bernhard was left "emotional" while discussing Max Verstappen's debut GT3 victory, highlighting that endurance racing "has so much to offer".
Bernhard is a five-time winner of the Nurburgring 24 Hours, but also the current lap record holder of the full 20.8 kilometre circuit.
In 2018, Bernhard became the first driver in 35 years to break the track record, clocking a staggering 5m 19.546 in a derestricted Porsche 919 Evo – the record still stands today.
On Saturday, Verstappen entered his first GT3 endurance race at the Nordschleife, and claimed a comfortable victory at the end of the four-hour event.
It marked the latest step of the Dutchman's journey towards competing in the 24-hour race, something he dreams of doing.
Verstappen became the latest F1 driver to feature in endurance racing, something Bernhard is a huge supporter of with the exposure it brings to the discipline.
"Hats off to Max Verstappen to tackle the Nordschleife, and I like this" Bernhard said during the official WEC broadcast of the Six Hours of Fuji.
"Actually, the platform which gets the most attention, is Formula 1, for sure. When they try other disciplines, you mentioned Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, we shared the car for three years.
"We had great fun. These are great race car drivers, and they like to experience other things. And endurance racing, it has so much to offer. So you see, I'm emotional, it's great racing, I love it."
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Verstappen's Nordschleife respect
To compete in Saturday's race, Verstappen raced a GT4 car at the Nordschleife ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, in order to gain the required license.
The 27-year-old has followed the rules to the book in order to compete in endurance racing, with Bernhard praising the respect Verstappen has shown to the German circuit.
"It's great," added Bernhard. "I don't know him personally, but hearing things about him, for sure, he's a racer.
"And I liked it, the way he tackled [the race]. He has a huge talent, as we know. Nordschleife is something special, and he really honours the place also, that's something I cherish, I like."
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