Norris keeping a close eye on Verstappen’s Nürburgring challenge

Reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris will be among the most intrigued observers this weekend as Max Verstappen takes on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with the McLaren driver openly admitting he plans to follow every moment he can of his rival’s latest endurance adventure.

While testing with McLaren last month at the Nürburgring, Norris sampled the venue’s daunting Nordschleife onboard a McLaren 750S, and the experience left a lasting impression on the Briton.

Now, as Verstappen dives into one of motorsport’s most punishing endurance challenges, Norris is preparing to follow it all closely from afar.

“It was the most fun I've had all year to be honest," he said in Miami.

"It's a circuit I've driven on Gran Turismo and iRacing. It's one of those tracks that everyone just wants to drive. Whether you're a racing driver or not it's just always cool to go and do that because it's so unique. I felt I was lucky.

"I feel like you can do it in any car and probably have a lot of fun. In the McLaren it's scary and fun. But it was cool that I got to do one of those things.

“As much as I've been in Formula 1 for years and been to the Nürburgring countless times, it was my first opportunity to actually go on the Nordschleife and drive."

Norris a big fan of GT racing

The Nürburgring 24 Hours has a habit of capturing the imagination of even the most seasoned Formula 1 drivers, and Verstappen’s participation has only amplified the spotlight.

Norris, who previously competed in the 2018 Daytona 24 Hours in LMP2 machinery, has long followed GT racing and in particular Verstappen’s previous outings in GT competition.

That familiarity, combined with his own Nordschleife experience, has made him an especially engaged observer.

"I've also been watching all of the onboards," he said. "I knew the track by heart already, but I've been watching all the GT races that Max has been doing.

“I have quite a few of my friends in GT racing. I've watched it for years. So, it's nice to get my own view of the circuit and I think it certainly lives up to all the expectations and the things that people say about it."

• Read also: Verstappen sets high bar for grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours debut

And when the green flag drops on the 24-hour marathon, Norris will not be switching off.

"I'll be watching maybe not the whole 24 hours, but as much as possible and spotting Max because he's a guy that I respect a lot. I've enjoyed watching him and Christopher Haase racing the last few weeks,” he concluded.

Antonelli eyes his own Nordschleife dream

While Verstappen takes on the immediate challenge and Norris watches on with interest, another rising name in Formula 1 is already looking further ahead.

Kimi Antonelli has spoken openly about his own ambitions to one day tackle endurance racing at the Nordschleife, even hinting at a future collaboration with Verstappen.

“I would love to do an endurance race with Max together,” Antonelli said earlier this year. “I think that would be pretty awesome. It's cool because we both have passion for GTs. On my side it came from my dad with the GT team. Occasionally, I go and test when I can.

“I think it would be a really cool pairing and a really cool experience, but it's something that I've been considering as well. I've already asked for a test at the Nordschleife, for example, because it's a track that I love, and I would love to be able to try it in the real world as well.”

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Verstappen – and to the F1 peers watching his every lap of one of motorsport’s most unforgiving circuits.

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