Max Verstappen rules out Nordschleife return: F1 racing too dangerous now

Max Verstappen, reflecting on the Nürburgring Nordschleife's perilous 20 km layout with 154 turns, firmly rules out its return to Formula 1, citing modern F1 cars' unsuitability. His recent tests in a Ferrari 296 GT3 and shift toward endurance racing highlight evolving priorities in motorsport safety and competition.

Sources:
PlanetF1Gpblog
Updated 13h ago
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Sources: PlanetF1Gpblog
Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion, has definitively ruled out the possibility of racing on the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit again. Known as the "Green Hell," the Nordschleife is a legendary 20-kilometer track with 154 turns, famed for its extreme difficulty and danger.

Verstappen stated, "That's really not going to happen with the Formula 1 cars we have now, I'm afraid. One thing is for sure: F1 there, that will never happen again. Far too dangerous." The circuit last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1976, after which it was deemed too perilous for the sport's evolving safety standards.

The track's narrow layout and unforgiving nature, combined with the increased size and speed of modern F1 cars, make it unsuitable for contemporary racing. Verstappen's comments reflect a broader consensus within the sport that the Nordschleife's risks outweigh its historic prestige.

Despite his reluctance to race there, Verstappen has expressed ambitions in endurance racing, a discipline where the Nordschleife remains a celebrated venue. His dominance in F1, with four consecutive world titles since 2021 and a pursuit of a fifth in 2025, underscores his status as one of the sport's greatest.

The Nordschleife's reputation as "the Green Hell" was cemented by three-time World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who famously highlighted its dangers. Today, the circuit is revered for its challenge but recognized as incompatible with the demands and safety requirements of modern Formula 1 racing.
Sources: PlanetF1Gpblog
Max Verstappen has ruled out a return of Formula 1 racing to the Nordschleife circuit, citing the track as "far too dangerous" for modern F1 cars. The legendary 20-kilometer German track, known as the 'Green Hell,' last hosted F1 in 1976 and is deemed unsuitable for today's larger, faster cars.
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The Headline

Verstappen rules out Nordschleife return for F1

Key Facts
  • Max Verstappen, a top Formula 1 driver and four-time World Champion, has ruled out racing at the Nordschleife as an F1 driver, calling it far too dangerous for modern F1 cars.PlanetF1Gpblog
  • Verstappen tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nordschleife under an alias, showing his personal experience with the track.
  • Verstappen has expressed ambition for endurance racing, suggesting a potential shift in his racing focus beyond Formula 1.Gpblog
  • Verstappen has won his first World Championship in 2021 and is currently on a run of four consecutive titles, aiming for a fifth in 2025.PlanetF1
He responded: “That’s really not going to happen with the Formula 1 cars we have now, I’m afraid. One thing is for sure: F1 there, that will never happen again. Far too dangerous.”
PlanetF1
PlanetF1
When asked if the modern F1 cars will ever race on the dangerous, yet challenging circuit again, Verstappen is clear. _"It's never going to happen again with the F1 cars we now have, I'm afraid,"_ he said recently to _Formula 1 Magazine_.
Gpblog
Gpblog
Key Stats at a Glance
Year of Max Verstappen's first World Championship
2021
PlanetF1
Target year for Max Verstappen's fifth World Championship
2025
PlanetF1
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Background Context

Nordschleife's history and challenges for F1

Key Facts
  • The Nürburgring Nordschleife hosted Formula 1 races from 1950 to 1976, with the 1976 race marking the final F1 event held there.PlanetF1
  • The circuit is famously known as 'Green Hell' due to its challenging layout and history of severe accidents, making it one of the most feared F1 circuits ever.
  • The track stretches over 20 kilometers with 154 turns, which makes it unsuitable for the larger modern Formula 1 cars.Gpblog
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of turns on the Nordschleife circuit
154 turns
Gpblog
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