Sebastien Buemi Highlights Verstappen Nurburgring Preparation

Sebastien Buemi believes Max Verstappen’s preparation for his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut has been significantly more advantageous than what he would face ahead of a future Le Mans 24 Hours campaign.

Verstappen has completed several test sessions and multiple Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie races at the Nordschleife as part of his preparation for this weekend’s endurance event. The four-time Formula 1 world champion has invested heavily in understanding the demands of the 25-kilometre circuit aboard his GT3 machinery.

According to Buemi, one of the key differences between Nürburgring and Le Mans is the level of preparation drivers are allowed before the event itself. Nürburgring competitors can complete extensive testing and smaller support races at the same venue, something not possible at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Baca JugaSebastien Buemi Soroti Persiapan Max Verstappen di Nurburgring

The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver stressed that Verstappen is approaching the event with serious competitive intent rather than simply participating for experience.

“He’s been deeply involved in GT3 racing for a long time and has obviously been practising. It’s not like he’s just arrived there without any laps,” Buemi told RacingNews365.

Buemi, a three-time overall Le Mans winner, highlighted how restricted preparation is for drivers entering the French endurance classic. Unlike Nürburgring, Le Mans drivers are unable to conduct meaningful testing at the circuit before race week officially begins.

“If he wants to do Le Mans, he would get no opportunities to drive there until race week starts. At Nürburgring, at least you can do all the smaller races beforehand with your own car, your own team, and under similar conditions,” Buemi explained.

Verstappen has increasingly shown strong interest in GT and endurance racing over recent years. Alongside his extensive simulator involvement, the Red Bull Racing driver has become progressively more active in real-world GT3 programmes.

The Dutchman’s detailed preparation reflects the seriousness of his approach toward his first 24-hour endurance event. The Nordschleife remains widely regarded as one of the most difficult circuits in world motorsport because of its technical corners, dramatic elevation changes, unpredictable weather, and multi-class traffic.

“He’s not the type of driver who goes there just to make up the numbers. He’s going there to win and to compete in a major race. Because of that, I think he has prepared extremely well,” Buemi added.

With wet weather expected during the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours weekend, the additional mileage and preparation Verstappen has already accumulated at the Nordschleife could become a critical advantage during one of endurance racing’s toughest challenges.