Max Verstappen “hugely impressed” his Nurburgring Nordschleife instructor, Andreas Gülden, who has reflected on his experience of showing the four-time F1 drivers’ champion the ropes.
The Red Bull driver has successfully obtained his category A licence for the legendary circuit, having completed 14 laps of the green hell in a four-hour race on Saturday.
Whilst the Dutchman did not manage to secure the necessary two classified results, a panel waived that requirement to award him the higher class of permit.
Verstappen did, however, satisfy all criteria up to that point, including taking part in a track and theory exam on Friday, which was needed for his category B licence, the step below.
That allowed the Red Bull driver to race at the famed circuit in the first place, and Gülden, his instructor for those initial reconnaissance laps, has reflected on his decorated student.
“It was fantastic to drive a few laps ahead of the world champion,” he told De Telegraaf. “Luckily I had a lot more power, otherwise it might not have worked out…
“We were in contact over the radio and I gave him some tips, but in the end we were also fooling around a bit. He was driving on slicks, I was driving on regular street tyres, and I was really pushing tremendously. He thought that was funny, and I think he appreciated it too.”
There has been considerable fanfare surrounding Verstappen’s foray away from single-seater racing cars, and it is the first significant step the 27-year-old has taken towards endurance racing in the future.
“It’s great to see Max here,” Gülden said. “In that bus ride around the track, he looked very interested.
“For example, about what line to drive in the rain, and I was able to tell him a bit about the different types of asphalt and the flag signals, which are different from those in other racing series.”
Addressing his experience of Verstappen directly, Gülden was effusive in his praise of the 66-time grand prix winner, labelling it “an honour” to work with him.
“I think we did learn something from each other,” he added. “He’s a really nice guy. A huge enthusiast, too. It’s wonderful to see him smiling behind the wheel, driving on the most beautiful circuit in the world. I’m really hugely impressed with Max.
“Of course, from his qualities in the car, but there is no doubt about that. But also because of his ambition and interest. He is so incredibly focused. It was an honour for me to work with him for a while. He is a real world champion, a real racer.”
Having secured his category A licence, Verstappen is expected to return to the Nurburgring at the end of September for his first GT3 race, where he will likely drive a Ferrari 296 GT3.