Verstappen Doesn't Want 'Superstar' Status in Endurance Racing

Max Verstappen has made it clear he has no desire to be treated as a huge star when competing in endurance racing, particularly at the Nordschleife. The Dutchman enjoys the paddock atmosphere that feels more old school, closer to the fans and fellow drivers, far from the glitz and glamour of Formula 1.

The four-time F1 world champion is known as a true motorsport enthusiast, not just F1. His passion for endurance racing has been brewing for years, and last season he made his competitive GT racing debut at the legendary German circuit, as preparation for this year's Nurburgring 24 Hours.

At the event in May, Max Verstappen drove a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Winward Racing, alongside teammates Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella, and Lucas Auer. Their performance was outstanding, and a maiden 24-hour victory seemed within reach until a broken driveshaft forced them into the garage for three hours of repairs.

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Despite missing the top spot, Verstappen's performance earned praise. His presence attracted massive attention, with record attendance and viewing figures. However, the 28-year-old feels uncomfortable being singled out as a star.

"It's probably a bit more like old school in terms of how you can enter the paddock and be close to the action. Yeah, I love it. I mean, I don't want to act like a superstar or, like, you know, just because I'm a Formula 1 driver, I need to act differently," Verstappen told RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview.

Verstappen also expressed his love for teamwork in endurance racing. "I love racing, and I love endurance racing, and I love working with teammates on the same car and, like, you know, traffic management, all these things. Driving at night for the first time was honestly just, yeah, a fantastic, fantastic experience," he added.

This experience reveals another side of Verstappen rarely seen in F1. He seems to enjoy a purer form of racing, away from the pressure and media spotlight. Could this be the beginning of a long career in endurance after F1? Only time will tell.