Ultimate Max Verstappen madness predicted: 'One billion percent certain'

Max Verstappen not only turned the Formula 1 world upside down this year with his achievements, but he also made forays into other racing classes with his racing debut in a GT3 car at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Together with team-mate Chris Lulham, he took victory there in a four-hour NLS endurance race in September. The impact was such that it triggered certain changes.

For example, it was announced that the rules for obtaining the necessary licenses have been relaxed in response to Verstappen's performance. It has not stopped there, however, as Verstappen has also brought a certain madness to the German circuit.

Misha Charoudin, a driver himself and an internet personality who casually confirmed over social media that Verstappen had set a new Nordschleife lap record under the alias of 'Franz Hermann', is certain that things will be different in 2026.

"One billion per cent, for sure," he said, on the Road to Success podcast. "I can already see it in the data I have available to me now. 

"I have a good connection to that region, thanks in part to my own businesses there and the things I hear others saying. You can already see it, for example, in the livestreams.

"When Max drove his race there, the livestream was watched by about thirty times more than normal! The audience was thirty times bigger. That race wasn't even highlighted like that beforehand. People did know he was coming to race, but that's where it stopped."

Growing Madness

It therefore raises the question of what would be possible if Verstappen focused on racing at the Nürburgring.

"If he would really join in, and people also started actively following it.... Every time he comes to the Nürburgring, the number of people going to watch online or at the track grows substantially," said Charoudin. "People are then aware that he is coming.

"In many cases, these people are only now aware that the Nürburgring exists, or that the circuit still exists and that you can watch Max Verstappen race there.

"You can even book a hotel there to watch him. And after Verstappen has driven there, you can even drive your own car there during the public sessions!"

The future, then, seems to hold great opportunities for the growing madness. "That's already happening this year," he added.

"It will also happen next year, as the amount of bookings for car rental companies, hotels, and race teams running lounges during NLS races or the 24-hour race is exploding.

"People are now suddenly aware that such a place exists and that it is possible to see Verstappen there."