“That Was Stupid” — Max Verstappen Revisits Explosive Nürburgring Dispute Ahead of 24H Showdown
Max Verstappen has reopened one of the most talked-about Nürburgring controversies from the past year, admitting his reaction to criticism surrounding his secret Nordschleife test appearance became far more heated than expected.
The reigning Formula 1 world champion is back at the legendary 24 Hours Nürburgring weekend, but this time the spotlight is not only on his pace — it is also on his tense relationship with fellow GT driver Maro Engel.
The drama dates back to Verstappen’s now-famous anonymous outing at the Nürburgring under the alias “Franz Hermann.” During that appearance, the Dutch superstar stunned observers with blistering GT3 pace around the Nordschleife, eventually setting benchmark lap times that immediately triggered debate across the paddock. �
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At the time, Engel publicly suggested Verstappen’s car had advantages including lower weight and more power compared to rival GT3 machinery. Verstappen responded sharply on social media, accusing the Mercedes driver of spreading misinformation about the setup and Balance of Performance regulations. �
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Now, ahead of their first on-track battle together at the Nürburgring, Verstappen has reflected on the entire episode — and admitted the comments surrounding the situation irritated him more than usual.
Speaking about the controversy, Verstappen described the situation bluntly, saying: “That was stupid,” while explaining he had simply attended the event to enjoy himself and improve his driving rather than chase records or headlines. �
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The Red Bull star insisted he never intended to disrespect GT3 competitors and stressed his admiration for endurance racing remains genuine. According to Verstappen, the problem escalated because people interpreted the lap-time story as an attack on other drivers instead of recognizing it as part of a learning experience.
Ironically, despite insisting he was not focused on records, Verstappen eventually did break the Nürburgring GT3 benchmark during the outing — a development that intensified the online debate and fueled tensions between fans of different manufacturers. �
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What makes the rivalry even more intriguing is that Verstappen and Engel actually know each other personally. Verstappen admitted that familiarity made the criticism harder to ignore, suggesting he expected more discretion from someone within the same racing circles. �
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This weekend’s 24 Hours Nürburgring therefore carries extra tension. Verstappen enters the event as one of the biggest attractions in modern GT racing, with massive crowds following every move he makes around the Nordschleife. His presence has already caused ticket surges, intense media attention, and heightened security measures around the circuit in recent days.
Adding another layer to the story, both Verstappen and Engel are competing in Mercedes-AMG GT3 machinery, setting up a direct comparison between two elite drivers under identical conditions. Many fans now see the race as an unofficial settling of last year’s argument.
Despite the controversy, Verstappen appears fully focused on the racing itself. The Dutchman has repeatedly spoken about his passion for endurance competition and his desire to continue exploring races outside Formula 1 whenever schedules allow.
Whether the Nürburgring crowd remembers the feud or not, one thing is certain — every lap involving Verstappen this weekend will be watched closely. And after revisiting the argument publicly, the battle between Verstappen and Engel has suddenly become one of the biggest stories of the entire event.