Max vs Vale
Valentino Rossi and Max Verstappen on track together, against each other, at the Nürburgring on the Nordschleife in the magical setting of the 24 Hours. For now it is only a hypothesis, not probable but possible, which perhaps in the coming months (or maybe years) will turn into reality. On the other hand, it would be nothing short of special to see one of the strongest and most successful MotoGP riders ever and the current absolute reference point of Formula 1 engaged on the same track, both at the wheel of GT cars on perhaps the most famous and recognizable track in motorsport.
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Max Verstappen’s passion for the legendary German track and for endurance racing is well known and already this year the four-time F1 world champion has every intention of being present at the 24 Hours, so much so that the organization itself has moved the date of one of the qualifying races in which it is necessary to participate precisely to favor the presence of the Dutch #3 at the starting line.
Now, however, even the Doctor – who has been trying his hand at GT and endurance racing for several years now – is reportedly thinking of challenging the Nordschleife. In the past, Rossi had always snubbed the possibility of racing the 24 Hours because of the long qualification process required. The one – to give you an idea – that Verstappen had to undergo last year. The mechanism, however, has been modified: from this year it will be mandatory to take part in only one ‘preparatory’ race in which to drive a car with a smaller engine displacement in which at least eight laps of the Nordschleife must be completed, two of which can be carried out in timed practice.
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Rossi opens up to new challenges
Speaking at a press conference at the Bathurst 12 Hours, where he finished third, Rossi opened the doors both to a future presence at the Nürburgring and to other reference races on the GT scene, such as Spa and Suzuka.
“I would like to race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and then definitely at the 24 Hours of Spa. It is the most important GT3 race. So, Bathurst, Spa and Nürburgring – Rossi stated, before also adding the Japanese 1000 miles – Suzuka is on my bucket list. I love that circuit, but I haven’t raced there since 2003. Hopefully, this is my goal for this year”, he concluded.
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