Max Verstappen got his first taste of GT3 victory in the ninth round of the NLS Series on Saturday – a championship held solely at the Nordschleife.
After obtaining the necessary license ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, Verstappen secured third on the grid in a Ferrari 296 GT3, before taking the lead at the first corner.
Once in the lead, a comfortable advantage was quickly built, with Verstappen's team-mate Chris Lulham having brought the car safely home at the end of the four-hour race.
It marked a debut GT3 victory for the four-time world champion, whose dream is to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
Verstappen has a love of GT racing and is eager to compete in more races, something he will continue to do alongside F1.
However, in order to have a more intense GT racing programme, Verstappen will need to quit F1 to race in the likes of the World Endurance Championship.
He is currently contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, but has hinted that it could be his last deal in the championship.
Having now tasted victory in GT3 racing, could Verstappen retire from F1 before his Red Bull contract concludes to chase world titles in other categories?
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Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! Oscar Piastri's shock Baku crashes are a major talking point, as is whether Max Verstappen has drawn himself back into the F1 title fight.
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