GT driver Christopher Haase provided spectacle during the recent NLS races in his battles with Max Verstappen. The two frequently encountered each other on the track during the preparatory races for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Haase enjoyed the ‘respectful’ battles that then broke out. The German driver, like the Dutch world champion, is also starting this weekend’s endurance race on the Nordschleife, but is still unsure about his chances: ‘I don’t know if we will be strong enough’.
Max Verstappen is starting his first endurance race this weekend. The Dutchman is participating in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and prepared through several qualifying races. During these earlier races on the Nordschleife, Verstappen frequently encountered experienced GT driver Christopher Haase. The German driver enjoyed the battles with the world champion that then erupted.
“The races we have had so far in the NLS between Verstappen and me have been a truly fantastic battle for me as a driver,” Haase tells Sportscar365. “It was incredibly intense because he applied a lot of pressure. I think we gave everything our cars had in them.”
The GT driver then explains what exactly made the battles with Verstappen so intense. “On the Nordschleife, all the traffic really makes it a difficult challenge, as does the challenging character of the ‘Green Hell’ circuit itself. It felt very respectful to race against Max, which I really appreciate. Of course, I have had this kind of battle with other drivers in the past, it’s nothing new, but the attention focused on us certainly makes that moment very special for everyone.”
Challenges of the 24-hour race
Haase, like Verstappen, is starting the 24-hour race this weekend but is still unsure if his Audi can compete with the Dutchman’s Mercedes-AMG GT3. “In a 24-hour race, it’s about speed and error-free driving, and you can’t push too hard, because then you might take too many risks,” the driver explains. “That risk management is the most important point: I’m not sure if we are strong enough to keep up the pace if we take fewer risks.”
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