Max Verstappen’s Ferrari stance after winning at the Nurburgring in their GT3 car amid F1 links

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Max Verstappen won on his Nurburgring debut as he and Chris Lulham took victory in a 4-Hour NLS race in a Ferrari 296 GT3. It has reignited talk about a possible move to Maranello.

The four-time F1 champion drove the Ferrari sports car on his endurance racing debut at the Nordschleife on Saturday. With his 296 GT3 sporting Red Bull colours, Verstappen took the lead on the first corner and won the race with Lulham by over 20 seconds.

His sports car debut was a long time in the making, after Verstappen conducted a secret test under the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’. The 27-year-old has made it known that he wants to compete in other categories.

Verstappen’s performance was ‘almost impossible to explain’ as he immediately showed his skill and blitzed the field. He is eyeing an appearance at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring in 2026.

Helmut Marko has confirmed that Verstappen has obtained the correct permit to take part in the event, which is set to happen between the Miami and Canadian GP in 2026. His exploits have caught the attention of the Tifosi, following his latest win in their car.

Max Verstappen knows that driving a Ferrari must be ‘honoured with victories’ amid F1 links

As per a report from Funoanalisitecnica, it was ‘inevitable’ that Ferrari fans would draw correlations between Verstappen’s GT3 race and a potential partnership in Maranello. The Tifosi were delighted with the Dutchman on social media, praising him for his win in their car.

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but there was huge speculation earlier in 2025 that he could trigger an early exit. Mercedes were heavily pursuing Verstappen, but the four-time champion has since committed to the Milton Keynes outfit for 2026.

Mercedes have been chasing the 27-year-old since last year, and they are not the only ones to make contact. Jos Verstappen said Max spoke with Ferrari during this time.

Given his links to Maranello, it is no surprise that the Tifosi have got excited about Verstappen’s sports car antics in the 296 GT3. While he has no association with Ferrari besides driving their car, he understands what it means to be in that machine.

The report notes that Verstappen is aware that a possible future with Ferrari ‘shouldn’t be a CV-boosting move’, but rather a responsibility to win. He knows that driving for the Prancing Horse must be ‘honoured with victories’, which ‘applies at all levels’ of motorsport.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen has been linked with Ferrari as Red Bull F1 future faces uncertainty

While Verstappen has committed to Red Bull for next season, there is no guarantee that he will stay beyond then, despite having a deal until 2028.

Verstappen has more favourable exit clauses in 2026, allowing him to leave if he is not in the top two of the championship. If Red Bull’s new power unit – in collaboration with Ford – is uncompetitive, he will have an easier route out, and Ferrari could be an option.

Lewis Hamilton is out of contract in 2026, but the Brit has the option to extend his deal until 2027. If he chooses to walk away from F1, Ferrari would ‘definitely’ be interested in Verstappen and partnering him with Charles Leclerc.

It has been reported that Verstappen is ‘waiting in the wings’ to replace Hamilton in Maranello. But for now, the Tifosi will have to settle for the Dutchman winning races in their sports car as they continue to search for their maiden victory in the 2025 F1 season.