It has now been virtually 5 months since Max Verstappen made his debut within the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, the place the four-time world champion impressed each rivals and followers together with his efficiency on the legendary Nordschleife. Those that shared the observe with him hope he’ll return for one more try in 2027, believing his ardour for racing and humility away from Formulation 1 deserve widespread recognition.
A type of rivals is BMW manufacturing unit driver Augusto Farfus. The Brazilian has been a part of the German producer for greater than 18 years and had the chance to participate in a Formulation 1 check in Valencia for Sauber in 2008, when the staff ran BMW engines. He and Verstappen had not met again then, however they did on the Nordschleife. Sadly, the #1 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo retired in a single day as a result of a technical challenge.
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A duel between Farfus and Verstappen by no means materialised. Subsequent yr, it’d. The BMW driver would love that. “Wonderful. I imply, I believe everybody wins in this sort of setting as a result of it exhibits how humble Max is,” Farfus tells GPblog. “He is most likely one among, if not the best of all time,” he emphasises. In accordance with him, it speaks volumes that Verstappen merely determined to participate within the 24h Nürburgring.
“To place himself amongst, I do not know what number of, a thousand loopy drivers across the Nordschleife exhibits how humble he’s and the way open he’s to a problem, so chapeau for that,” says Farfus, who took victory on the Nordschleife in 2010 and 2025. “It exhibits how briskly he’s in any sort of automobile, which isn’t a shock, however on the opposite facet it additionally exhibits how good a few of the drivers are who haven’t made it to Formulation One, who can battle with him on the identical stage, even when they’ve not made it to Formulation One. I believe that was one thing very good.”
Augusto Farfus takes his hat off to Max Verstappen – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
Augusto Farfus takes his hat off to Max Verstappen – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
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Verstappen is a racer: ‘Would even do the 25h Enjoyable Cup at Spa’
Farfus raced in single-seaters at first of this century. He received the Formulation Renault 2000 Eurocup and Euro Formulation 3000 earlier than specializing in TCR and GT championships. The Brazilian has an in depth résumé with spectacular outcomes at Le Mans, the 24h Nürburgring, DTM, Blancpain, inventory automobiles, IMSA, WEC, GT World Problem and extra. For him, it was amusing to see how followers reacted to Verstappen’s participation amongst veterans like Farfus.
“When this hype round Max and the Nürburgring got here up, I bought requested many instances how a lot sooner Max is in comparison with me,” he laughs. “I mentioned that, in that setting, I believe we are able to struggle on the identical stage. Folks would say, “So he isn’t sooner than you?” I mentioned, “No, I am not saying that I am sooner than him, however in that particular setting, we are able to struggle on the identical stage,” says Farfus.
“That confirmed, as a result of in the long run, with Maro [Engel], he was combating within the Mercedes, identical automobile, exact same tempo, and so forth. So I believe it highlighted how sturdy the GT subject is normally and the way a lot dedication the GT drivers put in, even when we aren’t in Formulation One. The occasion was wonderful, so I am very happy with the entire consequence. It is a disgrace that our automobile, primary, had a technical drawback and we couldn’t end.”
Augusto Farfus and Max Verstappen might probably renew their duel in 2027 – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
Augusto Farfus and Max Verstappen might probably renew their duel in 2027 – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
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Farfus expresses the want that Verstappen not solely returns to the Nürburgring, but in addition takes half within the 24 Hours of Spa. Verstappen is already significantly contemplating it. “Hopefully he can come again, not just for the Nürburgring, however to Spa, to Le Mans, and all these large races, as a result of I believe he is a racer. It is good to see Max. He is in Formulation One as a result of that is the head of motorsport. He is an fanatic of the game, however he is additionally a race fan. I am certain in the event you invited Max sooner or later to do the 25 Hours of Enjoyable Cup in Spa, and it match into his agenda, I might not be stunned in the event you ended up seeing him there, as a result of he is a racer, and that is what retains him so sharp.”
Farfus sees similarities: ‘It is an honor to be in contrast with Max’
The 42-year-old sees similarities between Verstappen and himself in that regard. Each are pure racers, love the sensation a automobile offers them on tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and the Nordschleife, and luxuriate in growing new expertise. “Properly, it is an honour for me to match myself to him, to start with. However I am a racer,” says Farfus. “I do a mean of 250 days a yr on the racetrack, positively greater than 200 days. Not just for BMW; now I’ve my racing academy, which is working very properly, I’ve Vicky, after which I’ve all my duties with BMW.”
Farfus’ daughter, Vicky Farfus, is in the meantime working onerous to make her Formulation 1 dream come true. The Farfus household could be discovered at a circuit virtually each weekend. “There are months the place I spend 25 days on the racetrack, and folks usually inform me, ‘You are loopy. How will you accomplish that a lot?” However I’ve by no means refused a race. By no means. If BMW says, ‘Augusto, it’s important to do a race in…'” says Farfus.
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“I imply, you already know, as a result of I really like this setting. I really like being behind the wheel of a automobile and making an attempt to go sooner and push. So sure, to some extent, in that side, I am not as digital as Max, so I do not do the identical issues that he does, however I am a lover. I am keen about racing.”
The magic of the Nordschleife, with the #1 ROWE BMW – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
The magic of the Nordschleife, with the #1 ROWE BMW – Picture: Gruppe C Pictures
