GT3 driver and former winner of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Maro Engel praises Max Verstappen’s approach ahead of his 24-hour debut. However, during Verstappen’s first outing to The Green Hell, the German still questioned the speed of the F1 driver. When he drove his first test laps in May 2025 under the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’, Engel suggested that Verstappen was running a faster setup, much to the Dutchman’s displeasure.
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Although Verstappen is competing this weekend under the flag of his own racing team, his Mercedes-AMG GT3 is run by Winward Racing. That same team is also responsible for the Mercedes of RAVENOL, the factory team of, among others, Maro Engel. During a press conference ahead of the 24-hour race, the German spoke highly of the collaboration with Verstappen.
Talent
“He is just like the other seven Winward drivers, although he may be blessed with just a little more talent,” Engel laughed. “But he is very down-to-earth and absolutely does not want special treatment. He also comes across as very approachable, even towards the wider community of amateur drivers. Of course, he has all the skills and expertise of a professional driver, but at the same time, he also has a genuine passion for the Nordschleife.”
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Last year, Engel still seemed keen to downplay the speed of Verstappen aka ‘Franz Hermann’. “The car was running according to DTM specifications, with less weight, more power, and a lower ride height than in the NLS,” he wrote at the time on social media. “That’s not true,” Verstappen responded sharply. “Don’t spread rumors if you don’t know what you’re talking about.” During the subsequent GP of Imola, the Dutchman returned to the issue once again. “It was just stupid commentary,” he explained. “I was mainly there to learn. Other drivers immediately feel attacked, but it’s not like I’m there to put others down. I just enjoy it, and then you get those kinds of comments. That’s totally unnecessary, in my opinion. I never asked for that at all.”
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